Pakistan's electricity shortfall crossed 4,000 megawatts in the first week of October 2026, according to ARY News, after several power plants went offline and hydropower generation fell. Reports describe three to four hours of load shedding in many areas. Separately, IESCO announced temporary shutdowns on 6 and 7 October for feeders in Rawalpindi Cantonment and Rawalpindi City, including Adiala, Defence Road, Askari 14 and Gulshanabad, to allow road and flyover work. For households and offices in the twin cities, the outage itself is only half the problem. The damage usually happens when the power comes back.
Why power cuts damage appliances
- Voltage surge on return: the first seconds after supply is restored can carry a spike that burns out compressors, circuit boards and chargers.
- Low voltage: fridges, ACs and water motors draw more current on low voltage and overheat.
- Repeated switching: an AC or fridge that restarts within a minute of stopping puts heavy strain on its compressor.
What to do before the next outage
- Fit a voltage protector or delay relay on every AC, fridge and deep freezer.
- Have an electrician check your main breaker, earthing and distribution board.
- Service your UPS or inverter and test the battery under load.
- Put computers, routers and TVs on surge-protected extensions.
- Fill your overhead tank whenever power is available, because the motor will not run during a cut.
What to do during and after a cut
- Switch off ACs, fridges and motors at the wall when the power goes.
- Wait three to five minutes after supply returns before switching them back on.
- If a breaker trips as soon as power returns, do not keep resetting it. Call an electrician.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there load shedding in Islamabad and Rawalpindi right now?
News reports in early October 2026 say the national shortfall passed 4,000MW because several power plants were shut and hydropower output dropped. IESCO has also scheduled shutdowns on some Rawalpindi and Islamabad feeders for development work.
Can load shedding damage my AC or fridge?
Yes. The voltage spike when power returns, and low voltage during unstable supply, can damage compressors and circuit boards. A voltage protector with a delay timer prevents most of this damage.
How long should I wait before turning my AC back on?
Wait three to five minutes after the power returns. This lets the voltage settle and the gas pressure in the compressor equalise.
How do I know if my UPS battery needs replacing?
If backup time has dropped sharply, the battery swells or leaks, or the UPS beeps and shuts down under normal load, the battery needs testing and probably replacing.
Who can check my wiring in Islamabad or Rawalpindi?
Muramat sends qualified electricians across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, 24 hours a day, to test breakers, earthing and wiring and to install voltage protectors and UPS systems.
Get your home checked
Muramat's electricians and AC technicians are available 24/7 across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.