Proposed reduction in power tariffs: Energy ministry to brief PM about roadmap: Firdous

Energy Ministry will apprise Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday (today) on long-term roadmap to bring down the prices of electricity for both domestic and commercial consumers by removing power sector challenges.

Briefing the media regarding the federal cabinet meeting here, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the prime minister directed that the consumers should not be overburdened due to the gaps in generation and supply of electricity cost.

She said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would chair a high-level meeting on Wednesday to discuss a way forward for freezing the electricity prices and not to pass the burden onto the masses.

The Energy Ministry has put a short and long-term plan before the cabinet to bring down prices of electricity.

The cabinet reviewed determination of electricity prices for both the domestic and industrial consumers in the light of the decision taken previously.

The federal cabinet was informed that the present government was honouring the agreements signed with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and the Nepra's tariff determination.

She alleged that the cabinet was informed that the present increase in electricity tariff was a result of subsidy given on electricity bills during the election year, and the delay in passing on tariff increase amid the Panama papers case.

Awan said that the prime minister directed the Energy Ministry to devise an alternate way to bring down increase in electricity prices due to the Neelum-Jhelum surcharge or Circular Debt and not pass it on to the common man.

"A meeting in this respect will be convened tomorrow (Wednesday), she said.

Awan said that the cabinet was informed that 500 feeders in the country had been secured and modern technology was being employed to stop line losses, while more than 58,000 FIRs had been lodged against electricity thefts during 2019.

She said that the prime minister had unequivocally reiterated the government's resolve not to shift burden of inflated electricity bills on to consumers.

Awan said that the cabinet was apprised that decisions taken by the previous government resulted in increased tariff of electricity.

The prime minister was informed that ordinary consumers should not be burdened to bridge the gaps from generation to transmission and then distribution of electricity.

She said that these gaps were created as a result of wrong policies of previous governments. "The cabinet agreed to bring out of the box solution to fill these gaps," Awan said.

The Ministry of Energy presented a detailed plan to the federal cabinet on power supply, prices of electricity for domestic and commercial consumers, and short-term and long-term goals for bringing these prices down.

Awan said that the roadmap would address an institutional revival in power sector.

A payment schedule for long-term settlement with generation companies would be discussed in the Wednesday's meeting.

The transmission system does not have the capacity to take load of 18,000 MW.

She said the load shedding was also due to capacity issues of transmission lines.

Awan said that the prime minister also directed to take all out preventive measures to avoid the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the country.

The cabinet was informed that no case of coronavirus has been reported in Pakistan.

Awan said the cabinet also discussed the visit of US President Donald Trump to neighboring India.

It was informed that the defeat of Indian narrative during the visit was a victory for Pakistan.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr Sania Nishtar gave a detailed briefing to the cabinet on Ehsaas Kifalat Programme, Langar Khanas and other initiatives.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction on the social welfare programmes being run under the Ehsaas programme.

The cabinet was given briefing on economic data and the reduction in prices of essential items.

Due to effective monitoring and comprehensive policies followed by the government, a strong message has been sent to the various mafias, the hoarders and the profiteers, resulting in reduction in prices.

In the context of Justice Qazi Faez Isa case, the prime minister expressed complete support for Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem.

Appreciating his services, the prime minister assured him that the government fully backs his steps in the constitutional and legal ambit.

The cabinet also gave approval to the construction of high-rise buildings in the surroundings of Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

The meeting approved the issuance of 433 banned bore licenses for the Wapda security force at Diamer Bhasha Dam.

The approval of deputation on the vacant post of Indus Water Commissioner was also made.

Awan said that in a democracy opposition leader has a role to play.

Shehbaz Sharif is enjoying perks and privileges of the seat but he is not contributing towards the country, she said.

"Shehbaz Sharif should come back and justify his role as the leader of the opposition," Awan demanded.

She said that the Punjab cabinet had refused to extend the bail of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London for medical treatment.

The recommendation of the Punjab cabinet will be forwarded to the federal cabinet, Awan said.

She said Nawaz Sharif had not been admitted to any hospital yet for proper medical treatment. Awan said the medical board held several meetings, and examined the medical reports of Nawaz Sharif, which were provided before his departure.

She said after rejection of extension, the bail granted to the former prime minister would be ultimately cancelled.

"Nawaz Sharif has failed to produce any medical report to justify his request for extension in bail," the special assistant to prime minister said.

"Similarly, the surgery of Rana Sanaullah was supposed to be held today (Tuesday) but no one knows which surgery was it and in which hospital it was scheduled?" Awan said.

Replying to a question, she said that the government allowed Nawaz Sharif to fly abroad on medical grounds when they provided the medical reports and even now the government is seeking medical reports but instead of reports they produce a medical certificate, which is not sufficient.