ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power has called on the government to conduct a comparative analysis of electricity tariffs in neighboring and regional countries, highlighting the unaffordability of current power bills for the average Pakistani.
Committee chairman Senator Mohsin Aziz emphasized the urgent need to address issues with independent power producers (IPPs), which have become a significant financial burden. He noted that the prolonged challenges associated with IPPs have left citizens struggling with high electricity rates, prompting industries to contemplate shutdowns.
The committee also discussed the critical issue of electricity theft, which has further complicated the power sector’s challenges. While the Minister for Power assured transparent submission of inquiries, the Power Division Secretary provided an overview of power sector reforms, supply and demand dynamics, and capacity planning complexities.
Senator Shibli Faraz stressed the need for the power ministry to account for seasonal variations and improve reliability and affordability. The Chief Executive Officers of Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) and Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) briefed the committee on load-shedding schedules and the extent of power theft in their regions. The Power Minister identified areas like Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and riverine regions of southern Punjab as hotspots for significant electricity losses.
Story by Amin Ahmed
