What caused a massive power breakdown in Pakistan?

By: News Desk
Published: 11:52 PM, 10 Jan, 2021
What caused a massive power breakdown in Pakistan?
Caption: –File photo
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
Get it on Google Play

The massive power breakdown, which left entire Pakistan in darkness on Saturday night, was caused by the unmaintained transmission system, sources have told 24NewsHD TV.

Sources say the NTDC transmission system had not been maintained for two years. Sources say a warning about overloading was also issued, but no steps were taken to avert the crisis. The sources say that delay in execution of the fog-proof conductors project is another reason for the power breakdown. The Rs60 billion fog-proof conductors project was approved during the rule of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and it had to be completed in one year. However, it remains incomplete even today. 

Secondly, dams had been closed for de-silting and the entire power need was being fulfilled by thermal power plants. 

Sources say the government remained unaware of the breakdown even hours after the entire country plunged into darkness. Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz blamed the power breakdown on the past governments, as usual. 

However, the PML-N strongly rebutted Faraz’s claims about the power breakdown. Sharing facts on Twitter, the PML-N snubbed Faraz for his “incomplete homework”. The PML-N said it increased the power transmission capacity of the country by 47 percent in the last five years of its government.