ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Leghari, has announced that the government will continue providing electricity subsidies to consumers using up to 200 units per month in the upcoming fiscal year.
Speaking to the media, the minister said that the number of consumers using less than 200 units of electricity has surpassed 20 million nationwide. These consumers are currently receiving annual subsidies worth Rs527 billion.
Leghari urged electricity users to link their power meters with the QR code printed on their electricity bills, stating that more than two million consumers have already registered through the system. He said the initiative is aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of the subsidy mechanism.
The minister further claimed that the government has reduced the country’s circular debt by Rs780 billion. He added that the renegotiation of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) has resulted in projected savings of Rs3.5 trillion.
Addressing concerns over electricity tariffs, Leghari said some groups were creating the impression that power prices had not declined. However, he maintained that electricity rates had seen a significant reduction over the past two years.
He also noted that Pakistan is currently generating 36,000 megawatts of electricity, while work on major hydropower projects, including the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Dasu Dam, is progressing rapidly.
The minister said the government is also promoting solar energy to help meet the country’s growing power needs.
Referring to a recent incident, Leghari revealed that strict action had been taken against a line superintendent after residents of an area were allegedly charged Rs80,000 for transformer repairs.
He added that the government is considering additional measures to reduce the financial burden on salaried individuals.
