This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21571126

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pakistan orders inquiry into nationwide power cut Pakistan orders inquiry into nationwide power cut
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's government has ordered an inquiry into the cause of a nationwide power cut that plunged the country into darkness for a few hours.Pakistan's government has ordered an inquiry into the cause of a nationwide power cut that plunged the country into darkness for a few hours.
The electricity network broke down on Sunday after a power plant in south-western Baluchistan province developed a technical fault, officials say. The electricity network broke down on Sunday after a power plant in south-western Balochistan province developed a technical fault, officials say.
The cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi were among those affected.The cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi were among those affected.
Power cuts are common in Pakistan, but a nationwide failure is rare.Power cuts are common in Pakistan, but a nationwide failure is rare.
A breakdown at the Baluchistan plant - which generates 1,200 megawatts of electricity daily - triggered other plants to shut down, water and power ministry official Rai Sikandar said. A breakdown at the Balochistan plant - which generates 1,200 megawatts of electricity daily - triggered other plants to shut down, water and power ministry official Rai Sikandar said.
"It was a technical fault in one of our power plants and not in the national grid," he told Agence France-Presse news agency."It was a technical fault in one of our power plants and not in the national grid," he told Agence France-Presse news agency.
Blackouts are nothing new in Pakistan because of chronic power shortages, with many areas having no electricity for several hours a day, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad.Blackouts are nothing new in Pakistan because of chronic power shortages, with many areas having no electricity for several hours a day, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad.
But on Sunday night, the darkness that suddenly enveloped the country caused some to fear there had been a terrorist attack or a military coup, our correspondent adds.But on Sunday night, the darkness that suddenly enveloped the country caused some to fear there had been a terrorist attack or a military coup, our correspondent adds.
Power is being restored on a phased basis, officials say.Power is being restored on a phased basis, officials say.