ISLAMABAD: Energy Minister Owais Leghari acknowledged on Thursday that the ongoing power outages in Pakistan are largely beyond the government’s control, attributing the crisis to regional tensions and a significant shortfall in electricity production. He expressed regret over the prolonged load-shedding during peak demand hours.
Speaking at a press conference, Leghari emphasized the need to clarify the facts surrounding the power shortages, stating that much of the situation is influenced by factors outside the government’s direct influence. He assured the public that the government deeply regrets the inconvenience caused by outages during critical periods.
In a significant development, the minister highlighted that Pakistan is grappling with challenges linked to the broader regional environment. Despite these difficulties, he maintained that the country’s electricity supply conditions remain comparatively better than those in other nations facing similar issues.
Leghari detailed that hydropower generation has fallen to 1,676 megawatts due to decreased water releases from dams, resulting in a deficit of approximately 1,530 megawatts. He further explained that gas-based power plants are unable to ramp up production during peak hours, compounded by disruptions in imported gas supplies.
Notably, power output from liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities has sharply declined, with generation dropping to around 1,671 megawatts this April compared to nearly 3,000 megawatts in the same month last year. The minister also noted that daily electricity demand fluctuated between 15,000 and 20,000 megawatts during the first half of April.
Leghari clarified that no load-shedding is currently implemented during daytime hours; however, outages have been increased proportionally to meet demand, impacting urban and rural areas as well as the industrial sector. He stressed that load-shedding measures must be adjusted the prevailing needs.
The minister criticized what he described as “unverified propaganda” circulating on social media regarding the power crisis. He also pointed out that electricity tariffs have been reduced over the past two years, which has contributed to a rise in demand.
Concluding his remarks, Leghari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the power sector. He stated that recent reforms have helped pull Pakistan “out of darkness,” though he acknowledged that significant challenges remain ahead.
