ISLAMABAD – Electricity shortfall in Pakistan has crossed 4,000 megawatts as several power plants have gone offline and hydropower generation has declined.
Reports said the growing shortfall has resulted in load shedding of around three to four hours in urban and rural areas.
The situation is particularly severe in the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) region, where the power shortfall has exceeded 1,500MW.
According to LESCO sources, reduced availability of diesel, gas and hydropower has contributed to the widening shortfall. The region is currently experiencing forced load shedding of one hour after every hour, they said.
Reports warned that consumers could face severe power outages for several more days if the supply situation does not improve.
A day earlier, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) announced temporary power shutdown schedule for October 6 and 7, 2026, affecting several areas across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal.
According to IESCO, scheduled outages are necessary to facilitate ongoing development projects being carried out by the district administrations. The work includes the relocation of electricity poles and other installations, construction of new flyovers and underpasses, development of 11kV feeders and road expansion projects.
In the Rawalpindi Cantt Circle, the Kalyal, Shahpur, Adiala, Khasala, Hamyun-I, Dhok Noor, Gulshanabad, Rose Lane, Adiala Jail, Sheghan, Defence Road, Askari 14, PGHS and Summer Zaar feeders will remain affected from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Fazaia feeder in the Rawalpindi City Circle will also be affected during the same four-hour period.
In the Attock Circle, power supply will be temporarily suspended from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in areas served by the Pind Pariyan, Multi Gardens B-17, Cabinet Division, Sarai Kharbooza, Valley, Sangjani, Shah Allah Ditta, Gulshan-e-Sehat, Paswal, AWT-1 and AWT-4 feeders.
