Lahore and surrounding districts are experiencing prolonged load-shedding and frequent power tripping, with residents facing six to eight hours of daily outages in urban areas and eight to 16 hours in rural areas over the past week. Consumers have criticised the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and the Power Division for extended power cuts, including in areas that are not classified as high-loss or low-revenue feeders.
Residents of Johar Town reported nearly eight hours of daily outages despite their area not falling under the high-loss feeder category. Frequent power cuts at intervals of 30 minutes to an hour have disrupted daily routines and raised concerns about potential damage to household appliances. Residents near Thokar Niaz Baig have also complained about worsening outages and alleged that Lesco officials were not responding to their calls. Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura are also facing prolonged load-shedding.
A Lesco official attributed the situation to a significant gap between electricity demand and available supply. According to the official, rooftop solar systems help reduce pressure on the national grid during daylight hours, but demand rises sharply in the evening when solar generation declines.
The official also linked the power shortfall to the reported shutdown of two regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG)-fired power plants due to limited gas supplies following delays in LNG shipments from Qatar amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The official said the situation was unlikely to improve until weather conditions changed and rainfall helped reduce electricity demand. Meanwhile, prolonged outages continue to affect households and businesses across Lahore and nearby districts.
