Power crises: Pakistan plunges into darkness

Pakistan faced a major power breakdown early Sunday and most of the cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta witnessed a large blackout.

The tripping of Guddo power plant's in Sindh province transmission lines affected the 500 KW power line from the national grid, forcing Jamshoro and Bin Qasim power stations to shut down.

In Balochistan 17 districts suffered a sudden power breakdown, Dawn reported.

According to Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) officials, the transmission lines from Guddo to Quetta were tripped.

Power supply to Quetta and other 16 districts have been suspended as a result of technical fault, however, it could not be verified by independent sources.

QESCO officials said, 220 KW transmission line was abruptly suspended. The other districts include Pishin, Khuzdar, Mastung, Kalat, Sibi, Bolan and other adjoining areas.

More than 70 per cent of Karachi was in darkness after a sudden power failure struck the country's industrial capital.

Earlier Saturday, the country's power crisis would be exacerbated as a result of acute shortage of furnace oil.

The shortage of furnace oil had also been revealed by the Water and Power ministry in a report on handling of furnace oil shortage issues.

The report said that power production from Jamshoro power plant in Sindh has been decreased to 170 MW from 570 MW.

Similarly, power generation from Muzaffargarh plant in Punjab after a decrease of 700 MW was 360 MW only, while Faisalabad power plant has suspended power generation due to non-availability of furnace oil.

Also, power production from HUBCO and Kapco after a decrease of 1300 MW stood at 1051 MW. Due to acute shortage of furnace oil, power shortfall has stood above 6700 MW in the country.

According to the power ministry's report, demand of electricity has surged to 14000 MW, while the generation has reduced to only 7,000 MW.

Refineries are unable to fulfill the demands of furnace oil, while a decision to purchase 12 cargoes of furnace oil has been facing a shortfall of Rs 30 billion.