Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has forbidden power distribution companies from carrying out more than two hours of load shedding in any area and ordered the creation of consumer complaint committees across the country.
The directives came during a meeting in Islamabad chaired by the prime minister to review the country’s electricity supply and load management situation.
Shehbaz Sharif took notice of increased load shedding in different cities and expressed displeasure over the situation. He directed authorities to ensure that load shedding in any area does not exceed two hours.
Officials told the meeting that electricity generation had fallen due to disruptions in RLNG supplies. They attributed the supply problems to the regional situation, tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and transportation difficulties.
The resulting decline in electricity generation has created a supply-demand gap, forcing authorities to carry out load management.
The prime minister directed officials to take immediate steps to deal with possible RLNG supply disruptions and ensure the effective use of all available resources so that load shedding remains within the two-hour limit.
He also ordered the establishment of Consumer Grievance Redressal Committees at the level of power distribution companies to address public complaints about electricity supply and other related issues.
The committees must include public representatives and be made operational within one week, the prime minister directed.
The meeting was informed that consumers can register electricity complaints through helpline 118. A token number and expected resolution time are provided after a complaint is registered.
Officials said monsoon rains were not currently affecting electricity supply for consumers across the country, except for six consumers in Rajanpur district.
The meeting was attended by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, Power Division Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior government officials.
