PM Calls Meeting Amid Electricity Bill Protests
Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, in his capacity as the Caretaker, has summoned an urgent gathering at the residence of the Prime Minister for the following day. The main agenda of this assembly is to address the matter of escalating electricity charges.
As conveyed through the PM’s communication on the microblogging website X, previously recognized as Twitter, the session is set to encompass presentations from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and the entities responsible for electricity distribution.
Furthermore, discussions will take place with the aim of delivering utmost solace to consumers concerning their Electricity Bill Protests, as stated by PM Kakar.
بجلی کے بھاری بِلوں کے معاملے پر میں نے کل وزیر اعظم ہاؤس میں ہنگامی اجلاس طلب کر لیا ہے۔ اجلاس میں وزارت بجلی اور تقسیم کار کمپنیوں سے بریفنگ لی جائے گی اور صارفین کو بجلی کے بِلوں کے حوالے سے زیادہ سے زیادہ ریلیف دینے کے حوالے سے مشاورت کی جائے گی۔
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 26, 2023
Country-wide demonstrations erupted in response to the exorbitant power bills, spanning cities like Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, and Peshawar.
Karachi witnessed protests organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) across various locations, condemning the steep surge in power bills and alleging excessive charges by K-Electric (KE).
Simultaneously, in Rawalpindi, demonstrators assembled at Committee Chowk. They set fire to invoices, urging the government to eliminate levies on electricity.
In Peshawar, demonstrators labeled the rise in electricity invoices intolerable and requested governmental assistance.
In Gujranwala, individuals encircled the Gujranwala Electric Power Company headquarters while objecting to costly electricity.
Protests also emerged in different urban areas, encompassing Narowal, Attock, Sargodha, and Haripur, opposing elevated power charges.
During July, the then federal cabinet granted its approval for a substantial surge in the fundamental electricity tariff by as much as Rs7.50 per unit, contrasting the nationwide average tariff of Rs4.96 as set by the power regulator, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).
The overseer raised the rate to boost earnings accumulation for the unprofitable power distribution firms (Discos) in the ongoing fiscal period.
As per a Nepra declaration, the adjusted nationwide mean rate for the fiscal term 2023-24 has been fixed at Rs29.78 per unit kWh, marking a Rs.4.96 per unit surge from the previously fixed nationwide mean rate of Rs24.82.
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Although the overseer mentioned the rupee’s devaluation, elevated inflation and interest rates, the inclusion of new capacities, and overall limited sales growth as rationales for the increase, it was essentially elevated to fulfill one of the prerequisites set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to introduce structural reforms in the energy domain.
Nevertheless, the relevant fee will significantly increase following the addition of surcharges, taxes, obligations, and fees, alongside monthly and quarterly modifications.