LAHORE: Unscheduled and undeclared load-shedding by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has badly disrupted routine life in Lahore and other areas of the LESCO region.
Although LESCO authorities deny what they term “forced load-shedding,” the situation on the ground is entirely different. Not only the provincial capital, Lahore, but also residents of urban and rural areas across the LESCO region are facing severe hardship due to prolonged power outages.
According to residents, Lahore is experiencing one hour of load-shedding after every two hours. However, the situation is even worse in suburban areas of Lahore and in rural parts of the entire LESCO region, including Sheikhupura, Kasur, Pattoki, and Okara. With power shutdowns, tube wells operated by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) also stop functioning, resulting in no water supply to homes, consumers complain.
According to LESCO authorities, load-shedding is being carried out only in areas with high losses.
“The electricity demand and supply situation in the LESCO region is currently stable, with both standing at 2,900 megawatts. This balance has eliminated any shortfall, and no forced load-shedding is being implemented across the region,” a LESCO spokesperson said. At present, 2,424 megawatts of power are being drawn from the system. However, load-shedding of three to six hours continues on high-loss feeders in accordance with policy guidelines, the spokesperson added.
Apart from announced and unannounced load-shedding, shutdowns are also being observed on the pretext of maintenance and the rectification of technical faults, adding to the agony of the general public. Consumers say not a single day passes without a shutdown in the name of maintenance of installations. “Due to scheduled system maintenance and necessary repair work, power supply will remain suspended on 314 feeders today from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,” said a LESCO announcement.
Additionally, 40 feeders in different areas have been affected by technical faults. LESCO teams are actively engaged in restoration efforts to ensure the earliest possible resumption of electricity supply, the announcement added.
Meanwhile, people have appealed to authorities in the federal government to look into the matter and take corrective measures so they may get some relief from load-shedding.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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