Pakistan faces major power outage ahead of crisis; “darkness and hopelessness spread,” says Former MP Bushra

Pakistan: Ahead of the severe political and economical crisis in Pakistan, the country faced a major power disruption on Monday after the national grid suffered a breakdown. Several cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and others were left without electricity.

Power Outage In Pakistan

In the last four months, it is for the second time that Pakistan has suffered a major power outage while dealing with an energy crisis and a hike in energy costs.

According to a media report, the power supply to 117 grid stations of Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO) has been suspended. IESCO provides electricity to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal and parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Reason for Power Outage

Speaking to the media, Pakistan’s ministry of energy said that the frequency of the national grid went down at 7:34 am (local time) which caused a “widespread breakdown” in the power system.

Later, the ministry said that the restoration of grid stations was started from Warsak and a “limited number of grids” of Islamabad Supply Company and Peshawar Supply Company were restored.

Also Read: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif: Talks Possible Only After Restoration Of Article 370

“Not a Major Outage”: Energy Minister

Despite the power outage suffered by multiple cities, Pakistan’s energy minister Khurram Dastgir maintained that the breakdown was not “major”.

According to a media report, the energy minister, Dastgir explained that power generation systems are temporarily closed at night during winter due to a reduction in electricity demand.

However, when the systems were turned on in the morning, the minister said, frequency variation and voltage fluctuation were observed in the south power generating units shutting down one by one.

Restoration of Power in the next 12 hrs

Further, the minister added that the restoration of grid stations in Peshawar and Islamabad had begun and assured that the power will be fully restored across the country within the next 12 hours.

“#GayaPakistan”: Former MP

Ahead of the power cut, the former MP Bushra Gohar said that darkness and hopelessness have spread to “mainstream Pakistan” since many areas in Pakhtunkhwa have had unannounced power outages for days.

“Darkness & hopelessness have spread to the mainstream Pakistan as well – Many areas in #Pakhtunkhwa have unannounced power outages & poor or no internet connections for days – State of a nuclear insecure security State – #GayaPakistan” she tweeted.

Darkness & hopelessness have spread to the mainstream Pakistan as well – Many areas in #Pakhtunkhwa have unannounced power outages & poor or no internet connections for days – State of a nuclear insecure security State – #GayaPakistan https://t.co/sgLJCPPVL4

— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) January 23, 2023