{
  "id": 13326926,
  "title": "Power outages spike in Lahore during nighttime",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/power-outages-spike-in-lahore-during-nighttime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-10T04:24:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2036017/power-outages-spike-in-lahore-during-nighttime"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LAHORE, October 10th, 2026 - The city of Lahore and its surrounding districts have been grappling with power outages for a week now, with consumers enduring anywhere between six to sixteen hours of darkness every night. The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and the Power Division have come under heavy criticism from residents for implementing forced load shedding even in areas that do not typically suffer from high loss or low revenue feeders, despite many consumers reportedly stealing power directly from high-tension wires.\n\nA resident in Johar Town expressed frustration over the daily eight-hour outages, stating it was strange for areas not classified as high-loss or low revenue feeders to be affected. The resident also mentioned that the recent episodes of forced loadshedding, occurring hourly or every half-hour, were damaging household appliances.\n\nAnother resident living near Thokar Niaz Baig lamented the worsening situation, highlighting the alleged lack of attention from Lesco field officials, who they said did not respond to consumer complaints. The resident called for urgent action to ensure electricity supply aligns with demand.\n\nBeyond Lahore, Lesco regions in Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib, and Sheikhupura are also experiencing severe loadshedding. A Lesco officer confirmed that forced outages in the city and other areas have become regular occurrences due to a significant power shortfall, rendering the company unable to meet electricity demands.\n\nThe officer pointed out that Lesco is currently facing a considerable power shortfall, primarily caused by the insufficient supply of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to the power plants due to delayed arrivals of cargo vessels from Qatar amid ongoing Middle-East tensions. The officer suggested that the situation would not improve until the weather changes, as rain is the only plausible solution to alleviate load shedding.\n\nHowever, it was noted that the Lesco chief executive officer and spokesperson were unavailable for further comments.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Forced loadshedding and tripping have reached their peak in Lahore and surrounding districts as the people have been facing outages for six to eight hours in urban and eight to 16 hours in the rural areas for the last one week. On the other hand, the consumers have widely criticised the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and the Power Division for depriving them of electricity through…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}