Nationwide Forced Loadshedding As Power Shortfall Hits 4,000MW

Pakistan faces a 4,000MW shortfall, forcing nationwide loadshedding. Urban and rural areas endure outages as fog, gas cuts, and plant closures worsen supply.

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Power distribution companies have begun enforced loadshedding nationwide after the electricity shortfall rose to almost 4,000MW, with Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) reporting a deficit of more than 1,100MW across five districts.

Officials explained that dense fog has repeatedly tripped power plants in the southern region, while hydel generation remains negligible during winter. “Compared to last year, demand has increased by around 2,000MW due to heating appliances,” one official said. Reduced gas supply to Lahore-based plants and the shutdown of a Sahiwal coal unit have further strained capacity.

Lesco CEO Ramzan Butt confirmed the company had “no option but to go for loadshedding” given the shortfall. He noted that solar net-metering customers have returned to the grid as fog has disrupted solar generation, compounding the crisis.

Consumers in Punjab, Sindh, and other provinces report outages ranging from three to six hours in cities and up to twelve hours in rural areas. A Lahore resident complained that water shortages have worsened as tube-wells remain inoperative during outages. Authorities say restoration work is underway, but relief may take several days.