A nationwide power out plunged Pakistan into darkness on Saturday, around midnight, with 80% of the power grid going off-line. It was being reported that a 500KV line from Tarbela tripped due to fluctuations in the grid.
Electricity in Islamabad will be restored around 4 am on Sunday, and by 8 am in the rest of the country, official sources indicated. So far three power units of Tarbela have been restored, the spokesperson of the power ministry said at 2 am on Sunday.
“A countrywide blackout has been caused by a sudden plunge in the frequency in the power transmission system,” Pakistan Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan confirmed.
The special grid, which includes Prime Minister house, Prime Minister Secretariat, Presidency, Parliament, Red Zone, all other key buildings, is also under blackout Alternate measures are being put in place to ensure transmission of electricity, sources added.
