Residents in Pakistan’s Punjab province are experiencing challenges due to unexpected power cuts during high temperatures, as reported by local media. Business owners and residents have voiced concerns about prolonged power outages amidst the scorching heat. They have noted damages to electronic appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and televisions due to frequent power cuts, low voltage, and fluctuations.
People residing in various areas such as Gulberg, Green Town, Johar Town, and others have reported continuous power interruptions, voltage instability, and delays in power restoration. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has been mentioned in connection with unscheduled power outages affecting suburban areas and other cities. Despite LESCO’s claims of sufficient electricity availability, residents have questioned the utility company about the ongoing power disruptions.
LESCO has denied any declared or undeclared load-shedding in Lahore, attributing power cuts to planned shutdowns for infrastructure development and addressing high-loss feeders. However, reports indicate a shortfall of 500MW to 800MW, highlighting a demand-supply gap with electricity demand exceeding supply levels. Technical faults have also increased due to the intense heat, contributing to the electricity challenges faced by residents.
In a separate incident in June, Karachi residents encountered electricity problems during Ashura, a religious observance. K-Electric, the power utility in Karachi, had announced exemptions from scheduled load shedding until Muharram 11. Despite this, many areas had to resort to alternative power sources during religious gatherings. Various parts of the city, including Saddar, Burns Road, and others, experienced prolonged power outages, prompting complaints from local residents about the inconsistency between the utility’s claims and the actual power supply situation.
