Pakistan Load Shedding Crisis: Peak Hours, Peak Drama

By Saleem Mubarak

Democracy runs on transparency, right? Our leaders promised us “Digital Pakistan” and uninterrupted electricity. But in our country, if anything is truly “uninterrupted,” it is the darkness in our homes, streets, and markets.

The Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Leghari, in a press conference called it a “peak relief strategy,” but for millions of Pakistanis, this term is nothing but a deception.

Have you ever wondered how a country with power plants worth billions suddenly faces a shortfall of 4,500 megawatts? This is not just a technical fault—it is the failure of a system that, instead of serving the public, traps them in confusing numbers and statistics.

People were told that load shedding was a thing of the past, but today every street and neighborhood is asking the same question: have we gone back to 2011?

Power Shortfall and Broken Promises

This darkness is not just a shortage of electricity—it is the funeral of promises made by rulers during general election campaigns. If electricity can go out four times in five hours in a city like Islamabad, imagine the condition of rural areas, where life seems to have come to a halt.

The government calls it a “strategy,” but in reality, it is a new way to drain people’s pockets and cause mental stress.

At 8 PM, markets should be at their peak, but suddenly everything goes dark. A mannequin standing in a showcase, dressed in a perfectly pressed shalwar kameez, becomes a symbol of this modern Pakistan—shiny on the outside, but lifeless and drowned in darkness within.

The government orders shops to close early to save electricity. But can closing shops make up for losses caused by years of corruption and poor planning?

The hours from 5 PM to 1 AM—called “peak hours”—have now become a punishment for the public.

The minister says this “load management” saves Rs 3 per unit.

What logic!

People are kept in darkness and told it’s a favor because their bills will be lower. But what about the student who has an exam tomorrow? What about the patient whose life depends on electricity in a hospital? What about the small shopkeeper whose livelihood depends on those few peak hours?

LNG Crisis and Energy Dependency Issues

This is not “relief”—it is economic and social suicide.

We are told that global conditions are bad, but are they bad only for Pakistan?

Are people across our borders also suffering in darkness like this?

No. The problem is not global conditions—the problem is priorities. As long as the government prioritizes its own survival over the public, these mannequins will keep standing in the dark while we remain silent spectators.

The government’s biggest excuse is the “situation in the Gulf” and the “closure of the Strait of Hormuz.” We are told that LNG ships from Qatar are not arriving, so power plants with a capacity of 6,000 megawatts are now producing less power.

Energy Mismanagement and Policy Failure

But this raises a serious question: does our entire energy system depend on a single sea route?

What happened to the coal, wind, and solar energy projects worth billions of dollars that were set up over the past few years? Why is 54% of Pakistan’s electricity still dependent on imported fuel?

This is the incompetence hidden behind press conferences.

When you hand over your energy lifeline to others, crises like this are inevitable. The shutdown of LNG plants may be a technical issue, but the lack of backup planning is criminal negligence.

The shortfall is no small matter, and it proves that our planning exists only on paper. We talked about big dams and inaugurated power plants, but when the time came, we realized we depend on a single LNG shipment.

Electricity Crisis Impact on Public Life

This is the truth no official will tell you. They will confuse you with numbers—demand is 18,000, supply is 13,500—but they won’t tell you where the missing electricity went. Why is it not being produced? Is there really no fuel, or does the government not have money to buy it?

Look at the transformers sparking in your areas. They are not just metal—they are a reflection of our broken system. When the system is overloaded, it collapses.

The Power Division says that if electricity were not cut, prices would rise by Rs 6 per unit. This is a new form of blackmail: either pay more or learn to live in darkness.

What kind of government threatens its citizens instead of providing basic services?

“Load management” is just a beautiful name covering failure.

Look at the children sitting at homes, studying under the dim lights of small battery-powered LEDs. They are the future of Pakistan—and we are pushing their future into darkness.

Can we really tell them that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is more important than their education? Can parents be convinced that saving three rupees is worth losing their sleep?

No. This is pure injustice.

Electricity prices have become a weapon to hide administrative failures. If furnace oil plants can be run, why are they not being used? Is it just to avoid increasing circular debt? Then why do people pay taxes? Just for the luxuries and privileges of rulers?

These are the questions being asked in every street today.

We are living in a divided Pakistan.

On one side is the elite, who always have electricity through generators, UPS systems, and solar panels. On the other side is the common man, whose fate is darkness.

A mannequin standing in the corner of a showcase, dressed as a security guard, silently shows that we only know how to protect our assets and positions—not our people.

Pakistan Power Crisis: Then vs Now

In 2011, the same stories were told. In 2026, the same script continues. We have progressed in technology, but our mindset remains stuck.

Just as revolutionaries in history raised their voices against oppression, today’s Pakistanis are restless for their rights. And remember: when darkness crosses its limits, the desire for light becomes an obsession.

The government’s “peak relief” injection has now lost its effect.

When summer heat rises, when air conditioners run and demand exceeds 20,000 megawatts—what will happen then? Will the minister hold another press conference and blame a new crisis?

The bitter truth is that despite being a nuclear power, we cannot even provide enough electricity for a fan.

This is no longer just a matter of voltage or megawatts—it is about our national dignity and survival.

Are we moving toward a brighter future, or have we accepted darkness as our fate?

The truth is simple: until people are valued more than statistics, these electricity poles will remain nothing but metal structures, and our country will become a “museum of darkness.”

Load shedding is not just a technical fault—it is a reflection of our political and economic priorities. As long as we depend on imported fuel and ignore local resources, we will keep being fooled by names like “peak relief.”

Pakistan today stands at a turning point. It does not just need cheap and constant electricity—it needs truth and honest leadership.

Because light does not come only from bulbs—light comes from justice and transparency.

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: Saleem Mubarak is an investigative journalist, passionate writer, and keen observer of everyday life. His work combines humor, realism, and social insight to bring everyday stories to life with depth and clarity.

With a distinctive storytelling style, he brings ordinary moments to life through sharp wit and thoughtful commentary.

His writing often explores cultural trends, civic issues, and human behavior, engaging readers with both intellect and emotion.

Whether tackling serious topics or adding a touch of satire, Saleem’s words reflect his deep understanding of society and his commitment to meaningful expression.