Islamabad: Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has announced that the government is actively implementing strategies to mitigate public inconvenience and prevent a rise in electricity prices amidst the current international challenges.
According to Radio Pakistan, during an exclusive discussion with Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik in Islamabad, Minister Leghari emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the government to shield citizens from additional financial burdens resulting from increased electricity rates. The Minister highlighted a significant decline in gas supplies due to the geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Minister Leghari explained that gas-fired power plants, which collectively hold a capacity of approximately five thousand megawatts, are crucial for satisfying electricity demand during peak night-time hours when the demand escalates to between twenty thousand and twenty-five thousand megawatts. He assured that there is no electricity supply shortfall during daytime hours.
The Minister for Power attributed the ongoing gas shortage to the conflict between the US and Iran, which has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these challenges, diesel and coal-fired power plants remain operational, and the maximum available electricity is being distributed to the national grid.
Expressing optimism, Minister Leghari voiced hope for a swift resolution to the gas supply issue. Efforts are underway to ensure the passage of Qatari gas through the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to make it accessible for domestic consumption.
Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik, present during the conversation, reassured that the Petroleum Division is committed to providing all necessary support to the power sector.