The Punjab Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday demanding an immediate end to prolonged, unannounced power outages across the province. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle set aside party lines to voice frustration over electricity shortages that have crippled small businesses and disrupted daily life.
The resolution, tabled by opposition members but backed by the treasury benches, calls for the federal government and the Ministry of Energy to address the shortfall in power distribution. It specifically demands a transparent report on why load-shedding has spiked despite claims of surplus capacity in the national grid.
“People are paying record-high bills for electricity they aren’t even receiving,” said a senior lawmaker during the session. The chamber erupted in agreement as members shared accounts of industrial units shuttering in Faisalabad and Lahore due to the lack of consistent power.
The energy crisis has become a flashpoint for public anger. While federal officials often point to technical transmission losses and circular debt, the provincial assembly’s move signals a growing impatience with these explanations. The resolution insists that the provincial government must now take a more aggressive stance in negotiations with the federal power authorities.
Beyond the political theater, the economic cost is mounting. Small-scale textile manufacturers, the backbone of Punjab’s economy, report that inconsistent supply has made it impossible to meet international export deadlines. If the supply chain remains fractured, analysts fear a sharp decline in regional production numbers by the end of the quarter.
The assembly has given the provincial energy department 48 hours to coordinate with federal counterparts and present a roadmap for stabilization. Whether this resolution translates into actual relief or remains another piece of paper in the record books depends on how quickly the federal energy ministry responds to the provincial pressure.
For now, the message from the floor is clear: the status quo is no longer an option.
