Pakistan plans rolling outages to manage rising energy costs linked to Strait of Hormuz disruption
April 15, 2026: Pakistan has announced daily power cuts of around two to two-and-a-quarter hours during peak evening hours to manage rising energy costs. The outages will take place on a rolling basis between 5:00 pm and 1:00 am, when electricity demand is highest and reliance on expensive fuel-based power plants increases due to limited hydroelectric generation.
The move comes amid a surge in global energy prices triggered by disruptions in supplies through the Strait of Hormuz following the ongoing Iran conflict. As a country heavily dependent on imported energy, Pakistan has faced increased costs, even though it has managed to secure passage for some of its oil shipments at higher prices.
The government said the planned outages are aimed at reducing dependence on costly fuels and preventing a sharp rise in electricity tariffs. Major cities like Karachi and Hyderabad have been exempted from the cuts due to access to relatively cheaper power generation in the southern region, while the rest of the country will experience staggered blackouts.