ISLAMABAD(NNI): Rural areas across Pakistan faced 12 hours of power outages and urban areas witnessed 6 to 8 hours of loadshedding as shortfall exceeded 3500 megawatts on Monday. Currently, electricity demand is 10,000MW whereas generation is 6500mw, a private television channel reported. Hydel power plants are generating 1000MW, thermal 1500MW while IPPs are producing 400MW electricity. The power shortages have sparked protests and crippled key industries, costing hundreds of thousands of jobs in a country.
already beset by high unemployment and widespread poverty. There are several joint energy and infrastructure projects under way to end loadshedding.