The Peshawar High Court has directed authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during Sehri and Iftari throughout Ramadan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, disposing of a petition filed against unscheduled and prolonged load-shedding in the province.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Fahim Wali heard the case. The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Suleman Khan, informed the court that unannounced power outages were continuing in various districts, causing serious hardship for residents, particularly during preparations for Ramadan.
According to the petition, urban areas of Peshawar were facing power cuts of up to four hours daily, while some rural and suburban regions experienced outages lasting as long as 22 hours.
During the hearing, Justice Syed Arshad Ali observed that where a province has its own resources, its people have the first right to benefit from them. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces more electricity than it consumes, raising concerns over distribution management.
Load-shedding remains a persistent issue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly during peak seasons and religious months when electricity demand rises sharply. Residents have frequently complained about unscheduled outages disrupting daily routines and business activities.
With Ramadan approaching, the court’s order aims to provide relief during critical hours of Sehri and Iftari, when electricity is essential for meal preparation and worship.
Following the directive, authorities are expected to implement special power management plans to avoid disruptions during designated hours.
