ISLAMABAD — The Ministry of Energy has directed all power distribution companies (DISCOs) to guarantee uninterrupted electricity across the country during Muharram, particularly during Ashura, and to urgently repair or replace any faulty equipment in their networks.
Energy Minister Awais Leghari issued the instructions ahead of the holy month, when millions of people are expected to attend religious gatherings and processions to mark the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA).
“As Muharram approaches, with millions of mourners participating in majalis and processions, and with expected heatwaves in July, it is essential that every effort is made to ensure an uninterrupted power supply,” Leghari stated.
The minister directed DISCOs to carry out preemptive maintenance, form emergency response teams, implement load management plans, and ensure the availability of generators and backup systems. He stressed that thorough inspections of transmission and distribution networks should be prioritised in areas hosting major religious events, with immediate repairs or replacements where needed.
Dedicated emergency teams are to be on high alert, particularly on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, to address any outages swiftly. Leghari also instructed DISCOs to coordinate with district administrations, law enforcement, and organisers of religious gatherings to identify critical sites requiring priority supply and backup arrangements.
He emphasised the need for clear communication with consumers, including Imambargahs and mosques, about any scheduled maintenance to minimise disruptions. The minister also ordered updates to equipment inventories to ensure sufficient transformers and backup materials are available at subdivision levels, along with the deployment of standby generators at sensitive locations.
Round-the-clock duty rosters and dedicated control centres are to be established to ensure quick response to any technical issues.
“The sanctity of Muharram requires our full dedication to serving the public with respect and responsibility. Any negligence will be taken seriously,” Leghari warned, requesting timely compliance reports from DISCOs.
