Major Power Outage Strikes Pakistan Due To Transmission Lines' Fault

A major power outage struck the country around 7:30 a.m., leaving major cities such as Karachi and Lahore without power due to a fault in transmission lines.

Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, and other major cities in Pakistan were without power. According to available information, electricity has been cut off to 90% of Karachi.

According to preliminary reports, the system frequency of the national grid decreased at 7:34 a.m., resulting in a widespread breakdown in the power system, according to the Ministry of Energy. 'Work to restore the system is underway on a fast track,' it added.

However, the Ministry of Energy announced a few minutes later that work to restore grid stations had begun in Warsak.

The ministry also claimed that power had been restored to multiple grid stations operated by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).

Several power distribution companies confirmed the power outage prior to the ministry's announcement. K-Electric confirmed the news, stating that the national grid experienced a 'loss of frequency' at approximately 7:34 a.m., affecting power supply to multiple cities across Pakistan.

'This has also cascaded to KE's network, affecting Karachi's power supply,' the power distribution company said in a brief update.

The two transmission lines from Guddu to Quetta tripped, according to the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO). It went on to say that 22 districts in Balochistan, including Quetta, are powerless. Meanwhile, power outages have been reported in several areas of Karachi.

'Multiple outages have been reported from various parts of the city. We are looking into the problem and will keep you updated,' Imran Rana, a spokesperson for K-Electric, stated. According to an IESCO spokesperson, all 117 grid stations were without power.

Meanwhile, PESCO confirmed an outage in areas where it provides power. The country has experienced a major power outage for the second time in four months.

Last October, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Quetta, Multan, and Faisalabad were all affected by a power outage. At the time, the power minister stated that nearly 8,000 megawatts of power had been shut down.

Ministry of Energy had previously stated that the government was concerned about the simultaneous faults in two power lines that had caused the breakdown. He also announced an in-depth investigation and promised action.