ISLAMABAD, Aug 2 (Alliance News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the government is committed to providing relief to electricity consumers. Reducing electricity prices is a key agenda for PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the government, and its allies.
In his remarks at the Cabinet meeting, Sharif stressed the need to lower electricity prices to boost the country’s exports. He noted that without this reduction, the agricultural and industrial sectors cannot expand effectively. He linked competitiveness in the industry directly to lower electricity prices.
Sharif criticized the politicization of electricity issues, calling it disrespectful to the public. He emphasized that the nation seeks a resolution to these problems. Addressing inefficiencies and corruption within the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) and the energy sector is essential to set the country on the right path, he said.
The prime minister assured that the government is aware of the people’s problems and is doing its utmost to address them.
Shehbaz Sharif noted that the PML-N government had resolved the 20-hour daily load-shedding issue. At that time, few were willing to invest significantly in electricity production, with China being the only country showing interest. In 2015, the government installed some of the fastest power-producing plants in history. The government set up four LNG plants, each with a capacity of 500 MW and a turbine efficiency of 64 percent. These cost-effective plants, credited to Nawaz Sharif, were built for just $450,000 each under NEPRA’s tariff of $8.5.
Sharif instructed ministers and officials to inform the public about the steps taken by successive PML-N governments to eliminate load-shedding.
The government has extended the deadline for paying electricity bills by 10 days and reduced the electricity tariff for the industry by Rs 8.5 per unit, providing a Rs 170 billion subsidy.
The prime minister highlighted collective efforts to address electricity theft, praising the interim government, Sindh and Punjab governments, and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir for their dedication.
He expressed concern over the burden on the salaried class but noted that the government had provided a Rs 50 billion subsidy for consumers using up to 200 units of electricity per month.
Sharif said efforts are underway to resolve issues with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), acknowledging that it cannot be resolved overnight.
Earlier, Sharif informed the Cabinet that the government and allied parties, along with China and Russia, had strongly condemned the brutal assassination of Ismael Haniyeh.
He emphasized that this act should shake the conscience of global organizations.
Funeral prayers in absentia for Ismael Haniyeh were to be offered during Friday prayers across mosques in the country, including at the mosque in the prime minister’s residence.
