PM Shehbaz Orders Maximum Two-Hour Daily Load-Shedding Across Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure that electricity load-shedding across Pakistan does not exceed two hours per day, while ordering uninterrupted power supplies for hospitals and other essential services amid pressure on the country’s electricity system.
The prime minister issued the instructions while chairing a meeting on the country’s power situation, according to The Express Tribune. He directed the Ministry of Energy to take immediate steps to ensure that scheduled electricity outages remain within the two-hour daily limit.
Shehbaz also ordered that hospitals and other essential public services should receive uninterrupted electricity, highlighting the need to protect critical facilities from disruptions.
The directive comes as the government manages pressure on electricity supply linked to the wider regional energy situation.
According to the report, the prime minister was briefed on the country’s electricity demand and supply position and measures being taken to manage the system.
PM Calls for Equal Distribution of Load-Shedding
A key element of the prime minister’s directive is the equitable distribution of load-shedding.
Shehbaz instructed officials to ensure that power outages are distributed fairly across the country rather than allowing certain areas to face disproportionately long interruptions.
He also directed the relevant authorities to maintain close monitoring of the electricity situation and take steps needed to keep the power system stable.
The instructions are particularly significant for households and businesses in areas that have experienced prolonged outages. However, the announcement represents a government directive, and its practical impact will depend on implementation by power distribution companies and the availability of electricity within the national grid.
Energy Supply Remains Key Challenge
Pakistan’s electricity system has long faced a combination of generation costs, transmission and distribution constraints, circular debt and losses within the power sector.
The government has been pursuing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing financial pressures across the sector. The World Bank notes that Pakistan’s electricity distribution system continues to face high technical and commercial losses, affecting the financial sustainability and reliability of power supply.
The latest directive therefore places immediate pressure on the Ministry of Energy and distribution companies to keep outages within the announced limit while ensuring that critical facilities remain operational.
Consumers will now be watching whether the two-hour maximum is reflected in actual load-shedding schedules across different parts of the country.
