LAHORE, June 11: A damaged conductor on a 500kv line coming from Tarbela near Rwat disrupted the supply of power to many cities in the Punjab and some in the NWFP on Friday night.

The power supply was disrupted at around 8pm, plunging many parts of the Punjab into darkness. In Lahore, it was restored at around 10.30pm. According to Wapda's Member (Power) Anwar Khalid, Mardan, Peshawar and Charsadda in the NWFP were also affected besides many parts of the Punjab.

He said the supply was restored to major cities within half an hour through alternate arrangements. The supply to Lahore was provided via Multan-Gaddi (near Faisalabad). But it was again disrupted as the conductor at Gaddi was also damaged.

He said the disruption of power supply affected three grid stations in Lahore which included Ravi, New Kot Lakhpat and Kala Shah Kaku. It took more time to restore supply in the city because of the additional problem at Gaddi. Mr Khalid said an inquiry had been ordered to ascertain how the conductors were damaged at Rwat and Gaddi.