Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari announced on Monday that Pakistan intends to transition electricity load-shedding away from high-loss feeders and toward individual transformers starting in June 2027. During a press briefing in Dera Ghazi Khan following his inspection of the Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari International Airport expansion, Leghari explained that this new strategy will substitute transformer-level cuts for feeder-based outages in regions dealing with power theft, aiming to curb electricity theft while restricting extra pressures on users.
Two hours of nighttime outages prevented users from facing an extra charge of Rs. 6 per unit, according to the minister, though he omitted extra specifics regarding the mechanics or measurement of the upcoming transformer-based setup.
Govt plans targeted load-shedding from June 2027
Power cuts will target specific transformers instead of full feeders linked to power theft under this strategy, according to the minister, altering outage management in regions with ongoing electricity loss issues.
Party discussions are currently happening regarding the formation of administrative divisions nationwide, Leghari stated, adding that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz already passed assembly resolutions favoring new provinces for South Punjab and Bahawalpur.
Leghari inspected the expansion of the inactive Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari International Airport in Dera Ghazi Khan, which has stayed closed for five years. The prime minister gave approval for the Rs. 5.5 billion expansion, and international flights are anticipated to begin by the conclusion of next year.
Nighttime operations require runway extensions and widening, with Pakistan Airports Authority personnel noting the runway length will increase from 6,000 feet to 10,000 feet, and the width will expand from 30 meters to 45 meters.
Staff updated the minister on current progress, stating the work should finish in 18 months, and the finished airport will cater to travelers from the Dera Ghazi Khan division and nearby districts within adjacent provinces.
Runway improvements aim to facilitate international travel and night landings, yet officials have not shared an exact date for international flights outside of the general target for late next year.
