ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, announced that the government is implementing measures to prevent an increase in electricity prices during a period of international instability. The announcement came following a meeting with the Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, in Islamabad.

According to Radio Pakistan, Minister Leghari emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the government to shield the public from additional financial burdens related to rising electricity costs. The minister attributed the current challenges to a reduction in gas supplies due to the geopolitical situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister Leghari highlighted the importance of gas-fired power plants, which contribute approximately five thousand megawatts to the national grid during peak evening hours when electricity demand surges to between twenty thousand and twenty-five thousand megawatts. He noted that daytime electricity supply remains unaffected.

The minister pointed to the US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as key factors in the gas shortage. He assured that diesel-fired and coal-fired power plants are operational, and maximum electricity is being supplied to the national grid.

Minister Leghari expressed optimism that the gas supply situation would improve soon, with efforts underway to secure Qatari gas through the Strait of Hormuz for domestic use. Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik affirmed the Petroleum Division’s commitment to supporting the power sector during this period.