This has the potential to destabilize a country that is already dealing with fuel shortages throughout the winter months...
Digital Desk: A massive power failure hit Pakistan, leaving roughly 220 million people without electricity. This has the potential to destabilize a country that is already dealing with fuel shortages throughout the winter months.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Energy, the National Grid went down at around 7:34 a.m. local time, resulting in a widespread power outage. Initial reports suggest that the cause of the outage is currently being investigated. The statement added that system maintenance work is going fast.
The Ministry of Energy reports that power has been restored to a "limited number of grids" in Peshawar and the nation's capital, Islamabad. However, it is uncertain how long the outage will last, and attempts are underway to restore power to various parts of the country.
The consequences of the outage have been felt in all aspects of everyday life in Quetta, Pakistan's southwest Balochistan region, including hospitals, marketplaces, and residences. Services in health centers on the outskirts of Quetta have been impacted, according to Dr. Imran Zarkoon, director of Balochistan's health department, who spoke to the media. A store owner in Quetta, Zaheer, claimed that because there isn't any electricity, Jinnah Road's entire market is completely shut down. He added that they have been waiting for the restoration of power for hours without a backup plan.
The power outage occurs as Pakistan continues to struggle with many challenges to the country's fragile economy.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already ordered that all federal departments reduce their power consumption by 30%. In addition, the Sharif-led government announced that markets should close at 8:30 p.m. and restaurants at 10 p.m.
The decision to reduce energy consumption came as Pakistan revealed that its foreign exchange reserves had plummeted to an alarmingly low level. According to the central bank, the country's total liquid foreign exchange reserves were $11.7 billion in December, about half of what they were at the start of 2020.
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