Pakistan, April 14 -- Widespread loadshedding has been reported in urban and rural areas across Punjab as distribution companies (Discos) grapple with an increasing gap in supply and demand.

The situation is reported to be worse in rural areas, especially those covered by the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco), where, at present, discos are observing loadshedding on an hourly basis and up to 16 hours in some areas.

"We cannot even sleep at night due to the loadshedding being observed by Mepco these days," said Imran, a villager in Muzaffargarh district.

"We are experiencing 12 to 16 hours of loadshedding almost daily," he said, complaining that the Mepco area office had no words to justify their position.

Tahir, a villager from Kha...