ISLAMABAD, Aug 01 (Alliance News): Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage, and Culture Attaullah Tarar announced on Thursday that the privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOs) has commenced as part of the government’s reform agenda. This follows an amendment to the State Owned Enterprises Act.
At a press conference alongside Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Mustafa Kamal, Tarar highlighted that inefficiencies and corruption within DISCOs have persisted for decades. To address these issues, he emphasized bringing in skilled professionals from the private sector to manage DISCOs without political interference.
The MQM delegation, including Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal, recently met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss electricity bills and issues with independent power producers (IPPs). Tarar commended MQM for their responsible and constructive role in national reforms and expressed gratitude for their advocacy on these matters.
The minister noted that electricity tariffs affect all citizens and called for a unified approach to tackle the issue. He reminded the audience that when the PML-N government took office in 2013, they ended 18-hour load shedding and installed cost-effective power plants.
As part of current measures, the government has allocated Rs 50 billion in subsidies for electricity consumers using up to 200 units for three months, funded by the PSDP budget. The deadline for bill payments has been extended by 10 days to ease the burden on consumers. Efforts are also underway to address over-billing and power theft in collaboration with provincial governments.
Tarar stressed that the IPP issue is not political but rather a matter of national interest. He emphasized the need for economic reforms to create fiscal space for cheaper electricity. He thanked MQM leaders for raising the issue and urged all government allies to contribute their suggestions.
In response to media queries, Tarar highlighted that action had been taken regarding the wheat import issue and praised the ongoing digitization of the Federal Bureau of Revenue, which has been supported by the Melinda Gates Foundation without any cost to the government. He also noted the closure of the Pakistan Works Department (PWD) as a significant step to cut corruption and save billions of rupees.
Addressing criticisms of the previous government, Tarar compared the current economic situation with that of 2018 when inflation was at 4% and growth was at 6%. He attributed the country’s current challenges to the previous administration’s policies, which he claimed led to high inflation and economic instability.
Tarar also mentioned a recent reduction in petroleum prices to provide consumer relief and stated that despite the provision, the Petroleum Development Levy was not applied.
Regarding the IPP issue, he urged Jamaat-e-Islami to end protests and engage in dialogue with the government. He also criticized a “spoilt child” for inciting violence, suggesting that their recent calls for talks were part of a strategy rather than genuine dialogue.