Pakistan Announces Daily Loadshedding to Prevent Electricity Tariff Hike

The Pakistani government announced on April 14, 2026, the implementation of a nationwide electricity load management plan that includes daily power outages of approximately 2.25 hours. The Power Division stated that these controlled shutdowns will occur during evening peak hours, specifically between 5:00 pm and 1:00 am, to prevent a sharp increase in electricity tariffs.

This strategic move, described by the government as a Peak Relief Strategy, is intended to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive imported fuels during periods of high demand. According to the Power Division, the measure is a temporary but necessary step to maintain supply stability and protect consumers from steep price hikes.

Fuel Constraints and LNG Shortages

The decision follows the suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports after Qatar declared force majeure. This declaration was triggered by attacks on gas fields amidst the US-Israel war on Iran. Qatar serves as the primary LNG supplier for Pakistan under two long-term contracts that provide up to 1,000 million cubic feet per day.

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The Power Division noted that while the system is capable of meeting full electricity demand, doing so during peak hours would require the use of costly fuels. This period is particularly challenging because hydropower generation drops significantly while demand surges, creating a gap that would otherwise be filled by expensive fuel-based power generation.

Impact on Electricity Tariffs

Government officials emphasized that the load management plan is designed to limit the financial impact on consumers. Without these measures, the Power Division estimated that electricity prices could have risen by Rs 5 to Rs 6 per unit.

With the implementation of the 2.25-hour daily outages, the expected increase is limited to approximately Rs 1.5 per unit, effectively avoiding an additional hike of nearly Rs 3 per unit. To further mitigate costs, the government provided 80 million cubic feet per day of local gas to power plants, which helped avoid a further increase of about 80 paisa per unit.

The ministry highlighted that consumers had already received Rs 46 billion in cumulative relief between July 2025 and February 2026. During that period, the average electricity price decreased by 71 paisas per unit despite global increases in fuel costs. This reduction was attributed to structural reforms, improved planning, and the prioritization of low-cost generation sources.

Implementation and Exclusions

The load management plan does not apply to all regions. The Power Division confirmed that K-Electric and the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) are excluded from the schedule because cheaper electricity generation sources are available in the southern part of the country.

To ensure transparency and minimize disruption, the government has issued the following directives for the rollout:

• Distribution companies must share feeder-wise outage schedules publicly so consumers are aware of the exact timings.
• Unscheduled outages are prohibited, except in the case of local faults, which must be communicated to consumers by the concerned offices.
• Federal and provincial governments may coordinate the timely closure of commercial markets to further reduce demand.

The Power Division stated that the situation is being closely monitored under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The government maintains that its commitment remains focused on providing maximum relief to the public despite challenging international conditions.

The government has decided to suspend the electricity supply for about 2.25 hours daily between 5:00pm and 1:00am. This step is aimed at reducing the use of costly fuels and preventing a sharp rise in tariffs.

Power Division Statement