Power Outages Leave Rawalpindi Residents Struggling
Residents across several Rawalpindi localities report recurring electricity disruptions, while IESCO records show a series of scheduled maintenance shutdowns during August; concerns are also being raised over their impact on water supply and other essential services.
RAWALPINDI: Residents in several parts of Rawalpindi have complained of frequent electricity disruptions, saying repeated power cuts are affecting household routines, commercial activity and access to essential services, including water supply.
Areas Reporting Electricity Disruptions
Complaints circulating among residents identify Committee Chowk, Banni, Dhok Kala Khan, Sadiqabad, Adiala Road, Dhok Khabba, Amarpura, Dhok Paracha, Bahria Town, Satellite Town, Chaklala, Morgah, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Dhok Hassu, Pirwadhai, Kalyal, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Dhok Mangtal and Tench Bhatta among areas experiencing disruptions.
IESCO Lists Scheduled Maintenance Shutdowns
However, an Islamabad Tribune review of official information shows that at least some electricity interruptions in the wider IESCO region have been formally scheduled for system maintenance. IESCO’s official press-release archive lists maintenance-related power shutdown notices for numerous dates throughout August, including August 20-27.
Unannounced Outages Not Independently Verified
This distinction is important because residents’ claims that some outages are “unannounced” could not independently be verified for every locality and feeder mentioned in the complaints.
IESCO also maintains a dedicated load-management page covering Rawalpindi City and Cantt, although the publicly displayed schedule retrieved during this review was listed for July 2026 rather than August.
Power Cuts Affect Water Supply
Residents say the electricity interruptions are having consequences beyond household inconvenience. Of particular concern is the operation of water filtration and pumping facilities, which depend on a reliable electricity supply. Residents have complained that interruptions can make access to drinking water more difficult, particularly in neighbourhoods already facing supply constraints.
Concerns Over Essential Facilities
Concerns have also been raised about hospitals and other essential facilities, where continuous electricity is important for medical equipment and routine services. The available material reviewed by Islamabad Tribune, however, does not establish that any specific Rawalpindi hospital suffered a critical service failure because of the latest reported outages.
Residents Demand Better Communication From IESCO
Residents have urged Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to ensure predictable electricity supply, communicate planned maintenance shutdowns clearly and minimise disruption to water and other essential services.
August Sees Active Maintenance Period
The issue comes amid a particularly active maintenance period. IESCO’s official archive shows shutdown notices issued repeatedly during August for system-maintenance work, underscoring the need for residents to distinguish scheduled maintenance from any unscheduled supply interruptions.
