Short supply of fuel has aggravated unannounced loadshedding in country, leaving the consumers with no option but to face 10 and 14 hours load shedding a day in urban and rural areas respectively. Power generation has declined to 12801MW against a demand of 15898MW during last 24 hours, dragging the system down to a total shortfall of 3097MW.
The industrial consumers are hit hard due to the emerging phenomenon, as they are not sure of power supply to their mills during the holy month of Ramazan. The Energy Management Cell is already thinking seriously of cutting power supply to mills for three hours each during Sehr and Iftar. The industry sources said the Energy Management Cell is toeing an anti-industry line, assuring the ministry high-ups that there is no need to be lenient towards the industry. The industry representatives, on the other hand, are running from pillar to post in search of uninterrupted power supply, seven days a week gas supply to Captive Power Plants and substantial reduction in interest rates.