Power Thieves
On Monday, Interim PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed the finance minister to devise an effective strategy for economic stability. He stated that no concessions would be granted to defaulters and power thieves during the ongoing operation against exorbitant bills.
He presided over a meeting to review the power sector and emphasized the need for immediate action against electricity dues defaulters in collaboration with provinces and law enforcement agencies.
The religiopolitical party Jamaat-e-Islami warned against staging sit-ins outside governors’ houses, leading to partial shutdowns of businesses on Saturday due to protests from traders, lawyers’ bodies, and a political party.
Reports revealed that numerous power company employees enjoyed free electricity worth over Rs22 billion annually. A former CEO of a power distribution company disclosed that around 120,000 employees of state-owned organizations in the power sector received partial or full electricity benefits based on their pay scales.
The caretaker PM stressed the importance of preparing plans for small hydel projects under expert guidance. Such projects would not only generate low-cost electricity but also help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Furthermore, he recommended prioritizing local coal over expensive imported coal in coal-fired power projects. He urged the prompt initiation of 2400MW solar power projects while ensuring transparency throughout the process.
Simultaneously, the caretaker prime minister instructed Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar to formulate an effective strategy for achieving economic stability in the country.
On Sunday, Kakar mentioned the government’s intention to establish a system that would invest in the impoverished segments of society. He addressed the protests, noting that some individuals were associating them with a “civil war” but refrained from making any final announcements.
He explained that the finance and power teams were meticulously examining details to propose a short-term solution that would avoid the need for revocation.
