LAHORE Traffic remained suspended as scores of protesters blocked important roads in various cities across the country against unscheduled power loadshedding. The massive protest demos were observed in Lahore, Gujranwala, Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Faisalabad and other cities where the angry mob attacked Wapda offices besides chanting slogans against the Federal as well as the provincial governments stating that the authorities have failed to find a solution. They burnt tyres while the angry protesters also burnt LESCO office in Lahore. They said that the loadshedding has destroyed their businesses as well as the criminal negligence on part of the govt has badly disrupted their routine life. The protesters urged the government to take steps to end load shedding. A few incidents of minor damage to public property were also reported in different areas. Hundred of thousands of citizens in Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Multan, Faisalabad and Chiniot have been facing acute shortage of power and have been confronting huge problems due to loadshedding. Informed sources stated that WAPDA is facing thousands of megawatts shortfall and loadshedding in urban rural areas has been increased to 12-16 hours. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing loadshedding for more than 16 hours a day and power comes for an hour after every two to three hours of loadshedding. The residents of Quetta are facing from six to eight hours a day of consistent power outage. Moreover, the electricity shortfall in Sindh, including Hyderabad, has reached 800 megawatts and the people are facing long hours of unscheduled loadshedding. In various cities of Punjab, 10 to 16 hours loadshedding has crippled life as well as the wheel of industry has collapsed. The total power generation of Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) is currently recorded at 9,500 megawatts, while the demand has shot up to 15,500 megawatts, leaving a shortfall of 6,000 megawatts. Power loadshedding duration has reached 18-20 hours across the country. On the other side, the governments top brass have nothing to do with the problems of general public while the economy of the country is near collapse due to the criminal negligence by the government. President Asif Ali Zardari had called a meeting and discussed the worsening power crisis in the country while the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government was engaged in negotiations with a number of foreign companies interested in investment in the power sector in Pakistan. Gilani hoped that the government would be able to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Meanwhile, all trade bodies including the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry have given 48 hours ultimatum to government to end 15 to 18 hours forced electricity loadshedding in Sialkot. Addressing an emergent meeting of all trade bodies Tuesday at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), they alleged that forced loadshedding was being carried out by the authorities concerned intentionally due political differences with the Punjab government. Meanwhile, activists of Muttahida Shehri Mahaaz (MSM) and Powerlooms Association staged a joint protest against the loadshedding of electricity, Sui gas and CNG here at Chungi No-9 in Multan. Dozens of protesters assembled at the Chowk under the leadership of Tariq Naeem Ullah and shouted slogans against the government. They were also holding placards and banners inscribed with their demands regarding immediate end to loadshedding. In Dera Ghazi Khan, the residents are facing the loadshedding for around 16 hours in the urban localities and over 18 hours in the rural areas ahead of start of the summer season. The Dera Ghazi Khan circle of Multan Electric Power Company has increased three to four hours load shedding at a time and thats why patients are facing great difficulties at the district headquarters hospital. In Burewala, the members of Burewala Bar Association (BBA) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) office-bearers took out protest rallies to condemn 18 to 20 hours load-shedding in the area. The lawyers blocked main Multan Road in protest here while traders announced shutter down strike on April 27 (today) against the worst power loadshedding that has crippled life.