12-hour blackout in economically depleted Pakistani cities, rush to save electricity

New Delhi, 15 June 2022, Wednesday

The war in Russia and Ukraine has had a devastating effect on neighboring Pakistan.

Many cities in Pakistan, which are going through a severe economic crisis, are experiencing 12-hour power outages.

Pakistan, a decade ago, awarded contracts to supply LNG to Italian and Qatari companies as part of a new energy policy. However, due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has pushed up the price of LNG globally, these companies are making a profit by selling LNG at a higher price instead of supplying it to Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pakistan's power plant and fertilizer plant are facing shortage of LNG. The government of Pakistan is struggling but is not getting adequate supply of LNG. The power plants are shutting down and Pakistan is facing a 12-hour power cut, even as the heat wave continues in many parts of Pakistan.

Government employees are given leave on Saturdays to save electricity. Security personnel budgets have been slashed by 50 per cent and wedding ceremonies have been banned. The gas supply of the fertilizer plant is currently being supplied to the power plant.

Mobile services have also disappeared in many parts of Pakistan due to lack of electricity.