Abrupt load shedding jolts inflation-hit Pakistanis 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s already inflation-hit public is continuously facing one crisis after another as electricity shortage has reached its critical level. 

The impromptu load-shedding began amidst ongoing political turmoil within the country. The electricity crisis across Pakistan has intensified as the overall electricity shortfall reached 5000 megawatts. 

Reports quoting sources said that several power plants working on gas, coal and furnace oil have been closed. 

In Punjab, the duration of load-shedding has reached 3 to 10 hours.

Lahore Electricity Supply Company Limited (LESCO) is facing a shortage of 1000mw as the demand is 4,100mw and the available power is 3,100mw.

Currently, 610mw Engro Power Plant in Thar, Port Qasim's power plant with a capacity of 310 is closed. Nuclear K2, K3, Chasnob, Liberty Power Plant, Guddu Power Plant are also facing shortages and not producing power at their full capacity, ARY News reported.

Sources further added that the general public could face at least 8-hour power cut from today. 

The twin city—Rawalpindi and Islamabad—is facing 8 to 10 hours of power blackouts in the name of maintenance, which started in September 2021 till March 2022. 

Moreover, authorities revealed country could face load shedding in Ramazan (likely to commence from April 3, 2022) due to shortage of furnace oil and RLNG.