IESCO Loadshedding in Five Cities Announced
IESCO loadshedding has started in five cities and surrounding areas after a shortfall in power generation.
The Islamabad Electric Supply Company said the outages affect Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal. In Rawalpindi, the measures cover both the City and Cantonment operation circles.
ProPakistani reported that the company announced the cuts through its official X account on November 11, and its spokesperson confirmed the plan.
IESCO loadshedding: timings and areas
Most outages will run from 9am to 2pm, while some feeders will remain shut from 7am to 2pm. The cuts apply across all of IESCO’s operation circles and all 11-kilovolt feeders, with each area getting the same length of outage.
That last point matters to residents. IESCO said it was applying equal-duration cuts so that the available electricity is shared fairly, rather than letting some feeders carry the whole burden while others stay on.
The five cities cover the whole of IESCO’s core territory. Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the twin cities, hold most of the company’s customers, while Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal extend the cuts across the Potohar region. Homes, shops and small businesses in all five places will feel the same daytime gaps in supply.
Why the cuts started
IESCO said in its public notice that electricity supplies have fallen short of demand. Generation has not kept pace with what customers are using, so the company has to manage the gap by cutting load in turns.
The shortfall comes at a time when the power sector is already under strain. Lahore faced power cuts after units at Tarbela went offline, and Wapda has faced scrutiny over flaws in the Tarbela fifth extension. When large plants trip or run below capacity, distribution companies like IESCO are the ones that have to pass the shortage on to customers.
The company has not said how large the shortfall is in megawatts, nor has it given a date for a return to full supply. What it has said is that the cuts are temporary and tied to the gap between supply and demand.
When loadshedding will end
IESCO management said it would end load management once electricity supplies meet consumer demand. The company apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary power cuts.
For now, residents should plan around the daytime windows. The 9am to 2pm slot covers the working day for many offices and shops, while the earlier 7am start on some feeders will affect morning routines, including water pumping and school hours.
There are wider changes under way in the power sector that could ease such shortages over time. Distribution companies are rolling out smart meters to curb theft and overbilling, which should cut losses and free up supply. Telecom firms have also been given cheaper electricity, which shows the government is trying to use power pricing to support key sectors.
Those changes will take time. For this week, the position is simple: five cities, equal cuts, mostly between 9am and 2pm, until generation catches up with demand.
Frequently asked questions
Which cities face IESCO loadshedding?
Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal, including both the City and Cantonment circles in Rawalpindi.
What are the loadshedding timings?
Most outages run from 9am to 2pm. Some feeders will remain shut from 7am to 2pm.
Why is IESCO cutting power?
IESCO says electricity supplies have fallen short of demand, so it is applying equal-duration cuts across all its operation circles and 11-kilovolt feeders.
How long will the loadshedding last?
IESCO says load management will end once electricity supplies meet consumer demand. No fixed end date has been given.
Where was the loadshedding announced?
IESCO announced the cuts through its official X account on November 11, and its spokesperson confirmed the plan.
