Electricity companies begin uploading laod-shedding information

ISLAMABAD, Mar 31 (APP):In compliance with the orders of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC), electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) have started uploading feeder-wise load shedding schedules and real-time outage information on their official websites.

According to a compliance report submitted by the Ministry before the PIC, the initiative has been undertaken to ensure transparency, facilitate the public, and minimize inconvenience to electricity consumers, said a press release issued here on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) had directed all DISCOs to regularly upload feeder-wise load shedding schedules and to promptly display any sudden or emergency load shedding, forced outages, or breakdowns on their websites.

The companies have also been instructed to ensure that such updated information is easily accessible on the homepage of their websites and that proper records of these disclosures are maintained for monitoring and oversight purposes.

The implementation of these measures has now begun, with electricity companies making load shedding data available online in line with the regulatory directions.

These directives were issued in pursuance of Section 5 of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, which mandates proactive disclosure of information by public bodies.

The law requires that public authorities proactively disclose and disseminate information of public importance, including details that directly affect the public, so that citizens can access such information without the need for formal requests.

The move also reflects the spirit of the Preamble of the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017, which recognizes the fundamental right of citizens to access information in matters of public importance.

The preamble underscores that such access is essential for ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance, and for making public authorities answerable to the people of Pakistan.