Updated on
Summary Power shortage has climbed to record 7000 megawatt, causing prolonged load shedding.
Several cities of Punjab including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Kasur, Jhelum, Sahiwal and Sialkot are worst-hit. Load shedding is so prolonged that it smacks of blackouts. Majority of the people are compelled to spend sleepless nights due to surge in unannounced load shedding.LESCO officials have claimed that National Grid Center in Islamabad is directly shutting off the Lahore Grid Stations, due to which the power shortfall of LESCO has climbed to 1300 megawatt and 12 to 14 hours load shedding is being carried out in Lahore while 18 to 20 hours in rest of Punjab.The residents of Iqbal Town, Johar Town, Jaffar Colony, Cantt, Shahdara, Kot Lakhpat and suburbs of the airport are facing a lot of difficulties due to the prolonged load shedding.Unscheduled load shedding has also badly disturbed the routine life of people of Rawalpindi Cantt areas, Afshan Colony, Dhok Chauhdriyaan, RA Bazar, Bakra Mandi and Peoples Colony.Despite increase in supply of gas to Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) the people of Karachi are braving load shedding of 6 to 8 hours. Most of the areas of Karachi are in complete darkness at night and the people are forced to spend sleepless nights. The worst-hit areas of Karachi are Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Saudabad, New Town and Garden Town.Similarly in Peshawar the load shedding is being observed 12 to 14 hours while in rural areas it has been increased to 20 hours.
