According to sources, the overall energy shortfall has reached 8,500 megawatts as a result of heatwave-like conditions across the nation.

Energy sources familiar with the matter said the country’s total energy demand is 28,500 megawatts, while it produces 20,000 megawatts.

Most parts of the country experienced temperatures over 40°C on Saturday, increasing the need for electricity for cooling. Because of this, the power demand stretched, but the supply remained stagnant.

The News reported that the country’s electricity supply has multifaceted chronic problems.

There is no relief for their suffering, whether the winter months are low-demand or summer months are high-demand.

Whether it is a so-called load management plan, approved shutdowns, technical power outages, or intense voltage fluctuations resulting in brownouts, they are denied power supply one way or another.”

During the past few months, a relatively new phenomenon of intense nocturnal load-shedding has added to the suffering of masses who are already suffering from distressing power outages.

Energy establishment clandestine moves have resulted in a record number of night-time outages.

The News reported that urban populations are subjected to three to six hours of load-shedding daily, compared to one to two hours previously between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

A stark contrast to the four-hour outage announced 24 hours earlier.

Nevertheless, the federal power minister views the country’s power demand and supply differently.

The minister claimed Saturday that only 3% of feeders in the national power grid are being suspended over four hours a day, including K-Electric.

A new national record for total power demand of 30,089 megawatts was set, he said, citing June 23, 2023 power figures. In the country, 92% of feeders experienced load-shedding for less than three hours per day, according to him.

In contrast, outages caused by technical failures or overloading of systems were not included in the data provided by the minister, as it focused solely on the much-touted load management plan.

People’s problems with fragile power distribution and transmission systems are much deeper and agonizing than what policymakers portray.

According to the sources, the Lahore Electric Power Company (LESCO) is experiencing a shortfall of 1,000 megawatts – demand is 5,700 megawatts, and supply is 5,700 megawatts.