ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has convened an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House for tomorrow to address the issue of escalating electricity bills.
The meeting, as stated in the Prime Minister’s post on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), will encompass presentations from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and distribution companies.
The discussions will also involve deliberations on ensuring optimal relief for consumers in relation to their electricity bills, as highlighted by PM Kakar. The surge in power bills has triggered widespread protests across the country, with demonstrations taking place in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, and Peshawar.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged protests against electricity
In Karachi, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged protests at multiple locations to decry the steep rise in power bills and alleged overcharging by the K-Electric (KE). Similarly, in Rawalpindi, demonstrators gathered at Committee Chowk, burning their bills and urging the government to eliminate imposed taxes on electricity.
Peshawar saw protesters denouncing the exorbitant increase in electricity bills and appealing for relief from the government. In Gujranwala, demonstrators encircled the Gujranwala Electric Power Company office to protest against the costly electricity charges.
Protests were also held in other cities, including Narowal, Attock, Sargodha, and Haripur, all expressing discontent with the high power bills.
Back in July, the federal cabinet approved a substantial surge in the base tariff of electricity, amounting to an increase of up to Rs7.50 per unit. This decision was made despite the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the power regulatory authority, determining the national average tariff to be Rs4.96 per unit.
Nepra justified the tariff hike by citing factors such as the devaluation of the rupee, high inflation and interest rates, the inclusion of new capacities, and overall low sales growth. However, the actual increase was mainly carried out to fulfill one of the prerequisites set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – the implementation of structural reforms in the energy sector.
It is important to note that the effective tariff would be considerably higher once additional costs such as surcharges, taxes, duties, levies, as well as monthly and quarterly adjustments are factored in.
