Summary Energy Minister Awais Leghari says Pakistan plans to shift load-shedding from high-loss electricity feeders to individual transformers from June next year
DERA GHAZI KHAN (Dunya News) – Pakistan will shift its load-shedding strategy from electricity feeders with high power theft to individual transformers from June next year, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari has said.
Speaking to the media after reviewing the expansion project at Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari International Airport in Dera Ghazi Khan, Leghari said the proposed change was aimed at protecting consumers from the financial burden caused by electricity theft.
The minister said two hours of load-shedding at night had helped save consumers from an additional burden of Rs6 per unit. He did not provide further details about the proposed transformer-based system or explain how its implementation would affect consumers in areas with high electricity losses.
Under the proposed approach, authorities would shift from feeder-wide load management to transformer-level load-shedding, potentially allowing power distribution companies to target areas more precisely. However, the practical impact on households and businesses will depend on the implementation mechanism and the identification of electricity theft hotspots.
The announcement comes amid persistent challenges facing Pakistan’s power sector, including electricity theft, distribution losses and the financial pressures associated with supplying power to areas where recovery remains low.
Airport expansion project reviewed
During his visit, Leghari also reviewed the expansion of Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari International Airport, which has remained non-operational for the past five years.
The minister said the prime minister had approved the expansion project at a cost of Rs5.5 billion, with the airport expected to become operational for international flights by the end of next year.
Pakistan Airports Authority officials briefed the minister on the ongoing development work, including plans to extend and widen the runway and introduce night-time landing facilities.
According to the briefing, the runway is being extended from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet, while its width will increase from 30 metres to 45 metres.
Officials said the project was expected to be completed within 18 months. The improvements are intended to enhance the airport’s operational capacity and enable it to accommodate a wider range of aircraft operations.
Leghari said the restored airport would benefit passengers from Dera Ghazi Khan Division and neighbouring districts in other provinces, improving regional connectivity and access to air travel.
Focus on regional development
The minister also discussed administrative and political matters, saying consultations were underway at the party level regarding the establishment of additional administrative units.
He said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had already passed a resolution in the assembly supporting the creation of South Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces.
The airport project is expected to improve transport links for southern Punjab, where residents often travel to other major cities to access air services.
The project’s completion and the planned resumption of international operations will depend on the timely execution of construction work and the fulfilment of operational requirements.
