ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Power Division on Sunday firmly denied reports claiming that free electricity is being provided to parliamentarians and bureaucrats.
The Ministry of Power Division’s spokesperson made it clear in an official statement that no free electricity is provided to parliamentarians, bureaucrats, or any government institutions.
The clarification comes amidst a nationwide campaign scrutinizing agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), which has led the federal government to adopt an emergency plan to address public concerns. Reports have suggested that the Energy Ministry proposed to end free electricity for government and semi-government institutions in the first phase. Furthermore, it has been proposed to terminate free petrol facilities for officials of government institutions in subsequent phases.
This debate has intensified over the past few weeks, with many attributing the high electricity prices to costly power purchase agreements with IPPs. These agreements have resulted in IPPs receiving substantial capacity payments, which critics argue are unjustly burdening the country’s poorer citizens.
Background and Context
The controversy surrounding IPPs revolves around capacity payments, which are fees paid to power producers to ensure they can meet demand, regardless of whether they actually generate electricity. Critics argue that these payments are excessively high and contribute significantly to Pakistan’s rising electricity costs.
In recent weeks, this issue has sparked widespread debate and public outcry, prompting calls for the government to reassess its agreements with IPPs. The proposed measures to end free electricity and petrol facilities for government officials are part of broader efforts to address the public’s concerns and reduce the financial strain on ordinary citizens.
The Ministry’s denial of providing free electricity aims to counter misinformation and assure the public that steps are being taken to ensure fairness and transparency in energy distribution.
As the government continues to navigate this complex issue, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to reduce electricity costs and alleviate the financial burden on the country’s most vulnerable populations.
