FESCO’s Early Power Outages Leave Businesses in the Dark

By Saleem Mubarak

FAISALABAD – Even before the summer heat has fully kicked in, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has begun “unannounced load shedding,” leaving the local business community and factory owners reeling.

The sudden power cuts have thrown production schedules into a tailspin, forcing owners to shoulder the heavy burden of labor costs for hours when no work is being done.

“We’re caught between a rock and a hard place,” said Shafaqat Ali, owner of a power loom factory.

He explained that while the labor is present and ready to work, they are left sitting idle the moment the lights go out.

“You can’t just tell workers they won’t be paid when they’ve shown up to do their jobs.”

A Perfect Storm for Industry

The industrial sector is already feeling the pinch from high inflation and a severe gas shortage affecting the sizing industry—a critical link that prepares yarn for weaving.

Owners warn that if the authorities don’t get a grip on the situation now, power outages will likely spiral out of control during the peak summer months.

With fuel prices already going through the roof, the added mental and financial strain of unannounced blackouts is pushing many businesses to the brink of collapse.

Retailers at a Breaking Point

The situation is equally grim in the retail sector.

Muhammad Nasir, a mobile shop owner in Kutchery Bazaar, talking to Grand Lines noted that the district administration’s ongoing “beautification” projects have already turned the market into a construction zone.

“Electricity is our lifeline in the electronics business,” Nasir stated. “When the power is cut without warning, we can’t deal with the few customers who actually manage to navigate the dust and debris to reach us. It looks like we’ve closed up shop for good, which is pure poison for our sales.”

He urged the authorities to at least provide a predictable schedule so shopkeepers can work around the outages.

FESCO Deflects Blame

Responding to the outcry, a FESCO official—speaking on the condition of anonymity—admitted that the sudden disruptions are wreaking havoc. However, he clarified that the company is merely a distribution wing and the federal government calls the shots regarding total power supply.

“We understand the frustration, but the supply is out of our hands,” the official said.

He suggested that citizens should direct their appeals toward the federal government rather than venting their anger at FESCO staff.

He also voiced concerns that the current global geopolitical climate could soon lead to fuel shortages, potentially making the energy crisis even more difficult to manage in the coming weeks.

The Fesco spokesperson was contacted for his version; however, he did not respond to clarify the situation.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Award-winning investigative journalist with 20+ years of experience across Pakistan's leading news organisations, including 15+ years as Senior Staff Correspondent at Dawn. Driven by a lifelong passion for investigative journalism and human rights, with a proven record of hard-hitting stories that forced official action — from hospital negligence and illegal land grabs to harassment probes and social injustice. He is the recipient of the K.C. Kulish International Award for Excellence in Print Journalism.