Govt Pakistan Efforts to Reduce Electricity Prices and Address Load-Shedding Issues
Government Focused on Reducing Electricity Prices
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the government is committed to lowering electricity costs for consumers, a priority for PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the government’s allies.
He recalled that the PML-N government had resolved the issue of 20-hour daily load-shedding. At that time, few countries were willing to invest heavily in electricity production, except for China. In 2015, some of the fastest power-producing plants were installed, including four LNG plants with a capacity of 500 MW each and turbine efficiency of 64 percent. These cost-effective plants, credited to Nawaz Sharif, were built for $450,000 each when NEPRA’s tariff was $8.5. The agreements should not be criticized as they were sincere efforts to address Pakistan’s major challenge.
Shehbaz Sharif urged ministers and officials to inform the public about the measures taken by successive PML-N governments to eliminate load-shedding. The last date for paying electricity bills has been extended by 10 days, and the tariff for the industry has been reduced by Rs 8.5 per unit, with a Rs 170 billion subsidy provided.
He also mentioned efforts to tackle electricity theft, praising the interim government, Sindh and Punjab governments, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. The government has provided a Rs 50 billion subsidy for consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month.
Sharif acknowledged ongoing issues with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) but said efforts are being made to resolve them.
Earlier, Sharif informed the Cabinet about the government’s condemnation of the brutal assassination of Ismael Haniyeh, urging global organizations to take notice. Funeral prayers in absentia were offered across the country, including at the prime minister’s residence.
