In the wake of the economic challenges faced by Pakistan's economy and increasing energy prices, meetings were conducted by the Government Committee under direction from Cabinet Committee on Energy with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) fewer than 1994 and 2002 Power Policy for their contributions in rationalisation of tariff as part of their contribution in the country's economic development.

The sessions were chaired by Federal Minister for Power and Petroleum Omar Ayub Khan. It was participated by SAPM, Shahzad Qasim, Secretary Power Irfan Ali, Secretary Finance Kamarn Naveed Baloch, senior officials of Power Division, PPIB, CPPA, Finance, Law and PEPCO.

The Federal Minister in his remarks said that electricity is the backbone of a country's economy and plays a crucial role in this regard. He said that over the years the power tariff has been increasing which needs to be addressed by the IPPs as well as the Government owned power generators.

The meeting deliberated upon various options and possible solutions in this regard.

The meeting decided to set up a technical committee comprising of members from IPPs and government for discussion and final decisions. The IPPs will nominate their members while the Government side will be represented by Shahzad Qasim, SAPM Additional Secretary MOF, and Additional Secretary Power Division,

Additional Secretary Law Division, MD, NTDC, CEO, CPPA and MD, PPIB.

The Committee will immediately start its work and present its report in the next few weeks.

The meetings were conducted in a cordial atmosphere and all the stakeholders presented their views openly.-PR