Pakistan’s Power Division has apologized to consumers for temporary additional load management during nighttime peak hours, after a delayed cargo of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) failed to arrive at port on schedule, cutting the country’s power generation capacity.
The delayed RLNG shipment is linked to a shortfall of roughly 3,600 megawatts in generation capacity during the nighttime peak, while a separate decline of about 195 megawatts came from reduced hydel output at Mangla.
How Long the Outages Are Lasting
According to the Power Division, the load management has been limited to nighttime peak hours only, lasting between 1.5 and 3 hours, with no daytime load-shedding reported as a result of this particular shortfall.
Punjab has been the hardest-hit province, with Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad experiencing longer outages than other parts of the country during the affected hours.
How Authorities Are Responding
To offset the shortfall, authorities have been running furnace-oil-based power plants during peak hours to help bridge the generation gap. The public has also been urged to conserve electricity at night while the situation is being managed.
The Power Division’s apology was specifically directed at the temporary nighttime load management tied to this RLNG delay. Separately, areas with high distribution losses continue to face their own pre-scheduled load-shedding under existing plans, which are unrelated to the current fuel-driven shortfall.
When Things Are Expected to Normalize
Officials expect the situation to ease once the delayed RLNG cargo arrives and fuel supply returns to normal levels, though no firm date has been given for when that will happen. Until then, nighttime load management is likely to continue in the affected areas.
Why the RLNG Delay Happened
Govt Apologizes for Nighttime Load-Shedding as officials explained that a scheduled RLNG cargo was delayed at port due to logistical issues, cutting into the fuel supply needed to run gas-based power plants during peak evening demand. The shortfall forced grid managers to introduce temporary, unannounced load management in several cities during nighttime hours, catching many consumers off guard after weeks of stable supply.
Government Response and Assurances
The Power Division issued a formal statement acknowledging the inconvenience caused to households and businesses, promising that the additional cargo has now been arranged and that supply will normalize within days. Officials also said monitoring of the national grid has been increased to prevent similar unannounced outages, and that consumers experiencing prolonged outages can report them through the standard complaint channels.
Impact on Consumers
Nighttime load-shedding disrupted households during evening routines, small businesses relying on evening trade, and students preparing for exams, renewing public frustration with Pakistan’s recurring energy supply issues. Analysts note that reliance on imported RLNG leaves the power system vulnerable to global shipping delays and price swings, a structural issue that goes beyond this single incident.
What Happens Next
The government says it is working on medium-term measures, including diversifying LNG suppliers and improving local gas production, to reduce the chances of another RLNG-driven power crisis. For now, officials are asking for patience as the delayed cargo clears and supply returns to normal across the affected areas.