Pakistan ends power outages after LNG arrivals ease fuel shortages, minister says
By Shahzad Paracha :
Pakistan’s Energy Minister Awais Leghari has announced the end of nationwide load shedding, saying improved fuel supplies following the arrival of liquefied natural gas cargoes have stabilised electricity generation.
In a video statement, the minister said recent power cuts were driven not by technical faults or generation capacity issues, but by temporary disruptions in fuel availability. He pointed to a sharp decline in gas supplies earlier in April, which forced authorities to introduce scheduled outages of up to five hours in some areas.
According to the minister, the situation began to improve gradually from mid-April, with load shedding reduced over subsequent days before being eliminated entirely. He attributed the recovery to the arrival of additional LNG shipments and a significant increase in hydropower generation, which rose sharply as seasonal water flows improved.
Officials had earlier blamed the shortfall on disruptions in LNG imports linked to regional instability, particularly tensions involving the United States and Iran, which affected global energy supply chains. The minister said alternative fuels such as diesel and furnace oil were available but would have led to higher electricity tariffs, placing further strain on consumers.
Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel has long made its power sector vulnerable to global market fluctuations. The country faced a shortfall of several thousand megawatts during peak demand earlier this month, leading to prolonged outages and public frustration, particularly in rural areas where cuts reportedly extended far beyond official schedules.
The government had introduced a “peak relief” strategy to manage demand during evening hours, but consumers across multiple regions reported significantly longer interruptions. Authorities maintained that the measures were necessary to avoid using expensive fuel sources and to limit further increases in electricity prices.
Energy pressures have been compounded by a broader surge in fuel costs. Rising global oil prices partly linked to tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz have pushed domestic petroleum prices higher in recent months. The government has repeatedly adjusted fuel rates, at times drawing criticism for increases that exceeded global trends.
Despite the improvement in supply, questions remain about the resilience of Pakistan’s energy system. The minister rejected claims that the country faces a shortage in installed capacity, stating that total generation capability stands at around 32,000 megawatts, though actual output varies depending on fuel availability and seasonal factors such as water levels for hydropower.
He expressed optimism that, with timely fuel procurement and improved generation conditions, Pakistan would avoid a return to scheduled outages in the near future. However, analysts note that the country’s continued dependence on imported energy and exposure to external shocks mean that stability may remain fragile without longer-term structural reforms.
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