Key Takeaways
- Awais Leghari said the recent spell of loadshedding has officially ended.
- The outages were linked to a temporary gas shortage, not power system failure.
- Consumers faced the worst cuts in mid-April, with outages rising up to seven hours.
- New LNG cargo and spot market purchases helped reduce the supply shortfall.
- The minister said no further loadshedding is planned as summer demand rises.
Why April Brought Fresh Power Outages
Pakistan’s recent spell of electricity loadshedding has ended after the arrival of a liquefied natural gas shipment, Power Minister Awais Leghari announced on Friday. His statement came after weeks of public frustration, especially during April, when many consumers faced long and sudden power cuts despite expectations of a more stable supply before summer.
According to the minister, the pressure on the power system was created by a temporary gas shortage linked to the US-Iran situation. He said the shortage affected the availability of fuel for power generation and forced authorities to manage demand through scheduled and unscheduled outages in different areas. Leghari stressed that the crisis was not caused by a collapse in the country’s power infrastructure or poor handling by power managers.
How Bad the Loadshedding Became
Leghari shared a timeline of the outages, saying consumers experienced peak loadshedding of up to five hours on April 13 and 14. The situation became worse on April 15 and 16, when the duration increased to around seven hours in some areas. For households, businesses, students, and small shops, these cuts came at a difficult time as rising temperatures had already started pushing up electricity demand.
The minister said the situation later improved gradually. For several days, loadshedding came close to zero, while the remaining shortfall was controlled through limited outages of around two to two and a half hours per day until April 29. This improvement, according to the government, showed that the problem was temporary and directly linked to fuel availability rather than generation capacity or transmission weakness.
LNG Shipment Brings Relief to the Grid
The key relief came after the first LNG cargo arrived in Pakistan a day earlier. LNG is an important fuel source for power plants, and any delay or shortage can quickly affect electricity generation. To manage the gap, the government also bought expensive gas from the spot market, a move that helped keep the system running but added pressure because spot cargoes are usually costlier than long-term contracted supplies.
Earlier, Pakistan LNG Limited had secured bids for LNG cargoes priced between $17.997 and $18.88 per million British thermal units, with deliveries planned from late April to early May. These prices show how costly emergency fuel arrangements can become when international supply conditions are tight. Still, officials moved ahead with the purchases to avoid a deeper power crisis during a sensitive period for consumers and the economy.
What the Government Is Promising Now
Leghari assured consumers that no further loadshedding is planned after the arrival of fresh LNG supplies. He also expressed confidence that Pakistan’s transmission system will be able to handle peak summer demand. This assurance is important because summer usually brings the highest pressure on the power network as fans, air conditioners, water motors, and commercial cooling systems run for longer hours.
However, the public will judge the announcement by actual supply on the ground. In many parts of Pakistan, even short outages can disrupt work, online classes, water supply, and small business activity. The government’s challenge is not only to restore electricity but also to maintain public confidence by giving clear schedules, avoiding sudden cuts, and ensuring that fuel planning remains strong through the hotter months.
Why Fuel Planning Matters for Summer
The April episode has again highlighted how closely Pakistan’s electricity supply depends on fuel management. Even when power plants and transmission lines are available, a shortage of gas or other fuels can lead to immediate pressure on generation. This makes advance planning, timely LNG procurement, and better coordination between energy departments essential before peak demand months arrive.
For consumers, the announcement brings short-term relief after a difficult April. For policymakers, it is a reminder that power stability depends on more than installed capacity. Pakistan needs reliable fuel supply, realistic demand forecasting, and faster crisis response so that temporary shocks do not quickly turn into nationwide discomfort for households and businesses.
