Electricity · Load Shedding
Load Shedding Schedule in Pakistan (2026) — How to Find Your Area
Load shedding schedules in Pakistan are set by your DISCO based on demand shortfall and your feeder's performance record. There is no single national schedule — it varies by city, area, and even by individual feeder. Here is how to find the schedule for your specific location.
Why Load Shedding Happens in Pakistan
Load shedding occurs when the total electricity demand across Pakistan exceeds the available generation capacity. The National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) manages the grid and allocates available power to each DISCO based on their demand. When a DISCO receives less power than its consumers need, it implements scheduled outages by rotating supply across feeders — this is load shedding. The duration varies based on how large the shortfall is and how many feeders are in the circuit.
Feeders with a high percentage of unpaid or stolen electricity often receive longer load shedding as a regulatory measure — these are called 'high-loss feeders'.
How to Find Your Load Shedding Schedule
- 1
Find your feeder name on your electricity bill
Your feeder name is printed on your electricity bill, usually near the division and sub-division information. It might look like 'Feeder: Gulberg-4' or similar.
- 2
Check your DISCO's official website
Most DISCOs publish load shedding schedules on their websites, often under 'Load Shedding Schedule' or 'News and Announcements'. Enter your feeder name to find the schedule for your area.
- 3
Check DISCO social media accounts
DISCOs often post daily or weekly load shedding schedules on their official Twitter (X) or Facebook pages. This is often more current than the website.
- 4
Call 118
The 118 helpline can tell you the current load shedding schedule for your feeder. Have your feeder name or reference number ready.
Typical Load Shedding Duration by Consumer Type (2026)
These are indicative ranges. Actual durations vary significantly by area and grid conditions.
| Area / Consumer Type | Typical Daily Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Urban residential (good payment record feeder) | 4 to 8 hours | Varies with national demand |
| Rural residential | 8 to 12 hours | Higher loss feeders get more load shedding |
| High-loss feeders | 12 to 18 hours | NEPRA policy: more load shedding until losses improve |
| Industrial feeders (above 5kW) | 1 to 4 hours or less | Industrial supply is prioritised |
| Agriculture feeders | 6 to 10 hours | Separate agricultural schedules in Punjab |
| Zero load shedding feeders | 0 hours | Feeders with very low losses and 100% bill collection |
How to Get Your Feeder on the Zero Load Shedding List
Some DISCOs have programmes where feeders with 100% bill payment and zero electricity theft can qualify for minimal or zero load shedding. If your community has this problem, organising collective bill payment and reporting theft to the DISCO are the two main factors you can control.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single national load shedding schedule I can look up?
No. Load shedding schedules are set at the feeder level by each DISCO separately. There is no single national lookup tool. Each DISCO manages its own schedule based on its allocated power and local demand.
Why does my area get more load shedding than a nearby area?
Feeders with higher electricity theft or lower bill payment rates typically receive more load shedding hours. This is a NEPRA policy to pressure high-loss areas to improve payment and reduce theft.
Does paying my bill on time reduce my load shedding?
Individually, no. Load shedding is applied at the feeder level, not per household. However, if most people on your feeder pay on time and there is minimal theft, the entire feeder can qualify for reduced or zero load shedding.