Problems in nat'l grid leads to major blackout across Pakistan

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A technical problem in the national grid of Pakistan led to a major blackout in the country that witnessed 80 percent areas plunging into darkness early on Sunday.

The major breakdown of the system cut the power supply of countless cities, towns and villages in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

According to Federal Minister of Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, the breakdown was caused due to militants' attack destroying main power supply line from Guddu to Sibbi in southwestern Balochistan province that resulted in tripping of Guddu power plant.

The tripping of Guddu power plant's transmission lines affected the 500KW power line from the national grid, forcing Jamshoro and Bin Qasim power stations to shut down.

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif took notice of the worst-ever power breakdown to have hit the country and issued instructions for the immediate resumption of power supply on an emergency basis.

Power was being restored partially in many areas across Pakistan including federal capital Islamabad and financial hub Karachi but supply to remaining areas was not yet restored.

According to Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) officials, the transmission lines from Guddu to Quetta city were tripped making 17 districts of the province suffer a sudden power breakdown.