ISLAMABAD(The COW News Digital) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of prolonged electricity load shedding reported in different parts of Pakistan and directed authorities to ensure that power outages in any area do not exceed two hours.
The prime minister issued the instructions during a high-level meeting held to review the country’s electricity load management situation. He expressed concern over increasing power outages in various cities and called for immediate measures to reduce the difficulties being faced by consumers.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities to strictly ensure that no locality experiences more than two hours of load shedding.
The meeting was also briefed on challenges affecting the supply of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) amid the prevailing regional situation. Officials informed the meeting that tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, along with transportation and supply difficulties, had disrupted RLNG deliveries.
The disruption in RLNG supplies has affected electricity generation, officials said. As a result, power managers have been forced to carry out load management to maintain a balance between electricity demand and available supply.
The prime minister instructed authorities to take immediate steps to overcome disruptions in RLNG transportation and ensure the effective utilisation of all available resources to minimise the impact on electricity generation.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that consumers should not be subjected to excessive outages and ordered officials to keep load shedding within the two-hour limit in every area.
The meeting also focused on addressing complaints from electricity consumers. The prime minister directed the establishment of consumer grievance redressal committees at the level of electricity distribution companies, commonly known as DISCOs.
He further instructed that the committees should include representation from the public so that consumer complaints can be addressed more effectively and transparently.
The prime minister ordered that the grievance redressal committees be made fully operational within one week.
The government’s latest directives come as electricity consumers in several parts of the country continue to face power supply challenges. Authorities are now expected to improve load management, utilise available generation resources and address fuel supply issues to reduce the duration of outages.
The two-hour limit announced by the prime minister is aimed at providing relief to consumers while efforts continue to stabilise electricity generation and supply.
