pakistan 
The power crisis across Pakistan has intensified as the electricity shortfall surged to 5000 megawatts, media reported on Thursday.
As per sources, the unannounced load-shedding has taken over the country as the electricity shortfall hit the 5000MW mark.
Sources privy to the development said several power plants working on coal, gas, and furnace oil had closed. The duration of load-shedding in Punjab reached 10 hours.
Lahore Electricity Supply Company Limited (LESCO) faced a shortage of 1000mw. The demand is 4100MW, but the available power is 3100MW.
According to a notification by Islamabad Electric Supply Company, the consumers would bear the load-shedding schedule due to some technical glitch in supply lines. However, it doesn’t appear to be a factual position.
The consumers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were facing 8 to 10 hours of blackouts in the name of maintenance work. However, the work has been going on for over six months as it started in September 2021. The government had strictly warned LESCO to get done with the maintenance work and stopped issuing ‘Maintenance Work Permit.’ However, then, LESCO started unscheduled load-shedding in all the areas falling under its domain.
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Currently, the Port Qasim power plant with a capacity of 310MW and 610MW Engro Power Plant in Thar are closed. Nuclear K2, Chasnob, Liberty Power Plant, K3, Guddu Power Plant are also facing a shortage of power and are unable to function at their full capacity.
Ahead of Ramzan, the Power Division announced zero load-shedding on special timings of Iftar, Sehri, and Taraweeh prayer across the country.
The Power Division has sought details of supply and demand from all power distribution companies to formulate a strategy for minimum load-shedding during the special hours of the upcoming holy month.
