PM Kakar chairs second meeting today to 'counter' exorbitant bills
Pakistan
Protests are being held in parts of country against inflated electricity bills
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will chair second meeting to chalk out strategy as to how to counter exorbitant electricity bills that sparked massive protests across the country.
A detailed consultation will be held with the Chief Ministers today on steps to save electricity and on the issue of increased electricity bills in July.
A detailed list of officers and institutions, who are availing free electricity, will be presented during the meeting.
According to a statement issued by Prime Minister Office, after the emergency meeting held under the chairmanship of PM Kakar on Sunday, it was decided that no step would be taken in haste which would harm the country.
The PM directed the authorities to take “concrete steps” for a reduction in inflated electricity bills and present the plan to him within the next 48 hours.
The sources said that a decision could not be made today to provide immediate relief to the public from the electricity bills, and there will be another session tomorrow regarding electricity rates and bills.
The sources informed that the caretaker prime minister sought reports and recommendations to provide relief to the public.
The premier convened an emergency meeting after widespread protests in multiple cities where people set their electricity bill on fire and blocked the roads, demanding reversal of hike in power tariff and imposition of additional taxes.
Power ministry officials also briefed the prime minister on electricity prices. They said the National Electric Power and Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is the relevant body to fix the power tariff in the country, adding that the rates were revised under the consumer price index (CPI).
Read More: Poverty-stricken masses continue protesting against unbridled electricity bills
The officials said fuel cost adjustment also impacted the electricity prices, adding that the price of imported coal had also surged to Rs61,000 metric ton as compared to previous rate of Rs51,000.
The Power Division official said the increase in electricity prices would not affect the 63.5 percent of total consumers as it would be applicable to those consuming more than 400 units.
They said the power tariff had been increased by up to Rs6.5 per unit for 31.6 percent domestic consumers, adding that Rs7.5 per unit hike had been approved for only 4.9pc consumers. They said the average increase for domestic users stood at Rs3.82 per unit. The revealed that per unit price in August 2023 is standing at Rs33.89.
