PM Shehbaz orders two-hour limit on power cuts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday took notice of increased electricity load shedding in various parts of the country and ordered authorities to ensure that power outages do not exceed two hours in any area.

The prime minister issued the directive while chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review the country’s electricity load management situation.

According to the PM Office, the meeting was informed that power generation had declined due to disruptions in the supply of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) amid the prevailing regional situation, including tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and transmission-related difficulties.

The resulting shortfall in generation has forced authorities to undertake load management to maintain a balance between electricity supply and demand, the meeting was told.

Taking into account the regional situation and future energy requirements, PM Shehbaz directed the relevant authorities to take immediate measures to address disruptions in RLNG supplies.

He also ordered the effective utilisation of all available resources to ensure that load shedding in any area remained within the two-hour limit.

The prime minister further directed the establishment of Consumer Grievance Redressal Committees at the level of power distribution companies (Discos) to address public complaints concerning electricity transmission and other related issues.

He instructed that the committees include public representatives and be made fully functional within one week.

The meeting was informed that electricity consumers could register complaints through the 118 helpline, following which they are provided with a token number and an estimated timeframe for resolution.

Officials also briefed the meeting that, except for six electricity consumers in Rajanpur district, power supply to consumers across the country was currently not being affected by the recent monsoon rains.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Power Division Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani and senior government officials.