Power supply remained suspended for 18 hours in rural areas of country due to high shortage between demand and supply, leading to widespread protests in different cities and towns. It may be noted power supply is facing a shortage of about 5000MW ahead of summer season due to abysmal low hydel generation.
The thermal generation is also under trouble due to circular debt phenomenon. Supply of furnace oil is highly disturbed due to non-payment to PSO by the Pepco. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is due to chair a meeting of Pepco authorities early next week. However, rising gap between demand and supply has left Pepco with no option but to opt for forced closures for all consumers.
The industrial consumers are hit hard due to the fact that power supply on independent and grouped feeders has been suspended for eight to 10 hours a day, affecting production capacities badly. Meanwhile, the household wives of many areas adjacent to Lahore city took out processions against power curtailment, criticising the government for its failure in overcoming power crisis.