Protests continue as power crisis worsens

LAHORE: The power crisis continues to plague Pakistan as the electricity shortfall has risen to 6,365 MW. Currently electricity generation stands at 10,300 MW while demand is 16,665 MW. The shortfall has attributed to an increase in loadshedding.

In Lahore and other cities of Punjab, residents are without electricity for 9 to 11 hours while in the rural areas the situation is worse with power outages of up to 18 hours.

Water supply has also been suspended to several areas as the problems being experienced by people continue to increase.

Power houses are experiencing a shortage of oil and gas and according to sources within the Water and Power Ministry the situation may worsen if payments to IPPs are not made.

Meanwhile protests against prolonged power outages continue across the country. In Kotli, Azad Kashmir protesters clashed with police and several people including a policeman were injured.

Protesters also burnt tyres, blocked traffic and caused damage to property.