PM places two-hour cap on power load-shedding

Business Recorder reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to limit load-shedding to a maximum of two hours in any locality. The directive came at a high-level meeting on power load management on Friday, where the premier voiced concern about rising outages in several cities. Officials attributed the latest electricity shortfall to interrupted supplies of RLNG, citing regional security issues and transport problems.

Sharif told the meeting that the supply problem could not justify unchecked power cuts, and he asked that every available resource be used. He also instructed power distribution companies, known as Discos, to set up Consumer Grievance Redressal Committees within a week, with consumer representatives among their members. Complaints can be lodged through helpline 118, where consumers receive a token number and an estimated resolution timeframe.

According to the briefing, monsoon rains were affecting only six consumers in Rajanpur district, so the RLNG disruption was presented as the main cause of lower generation. Ministers including Ahsan Iqbal, Awais Leghari and Ahad Cheema attended the session, along with senior officials. The prime minister also asked the relevant authorities to address the gas supply disruption quickly.