Unannounced Power Outages Continue Across Pakistan as Shortfall Persists

LAHORE: Unannounced electricity load-shedding continues in several cities across Pakistan as the national power shortfall remains above 4,000 megawatts, according to distribution company (DISCO) sources.

Officials said that with the rise in temperatures, the electricity demand has increased significantly, while the Ministry of Energy has reportedly struggled to bridge the supply gap. DISCOs have now been instructed to manage load balancing measures across regions.

Sources added that industrial sectors have also been included in the load-shedding schedule, with power outages of two to three hours being implemented for industries. Authorities are also considering restarting shut-down power plants, increasing hydel generation, and securing an additional 90 million cubic feet of gas to support electricity production.

Meanwhile, cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi are experiencing ongoing unannounced outages. In some areas, load-shedding duration has reached up to seven to eight hours.

In Karachi, students preparing for examinations have been particularly affected, with parents urging authorities to suspend load-shedding during exam periods to avoid disruption in academic preparation.