Webinar Highlights Need for Clearer Policies and Public Awareness
ISLAMABAD: Experts at a webinar organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Tuesday emphasized the urgent need to simplify Pakistan’s electric power and tariff structures to ease the burden on consumers. The session highlighted that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and the Ministry of Energy set electricity tariffs, leaving independent power producers (IPPs) and distribution companies (DISCOs) unable to alter rates independently.
The webinar also marked the release of SDPI’s latest booklet, Understanding Electric Power System and Tariff Structure in Pakistan: A Basic Guide, aimed at demystifying the tariff-setting process for the general public. Zainab Babar from SDPI, who moderated the session, pointed out that recent tariff changes and energy policy shifts have caused confusion among consumers and policymakers. “This guide simplifies the power system and tariff-setting process for easier public understanding,” she said.
Engineer Ahad Nazir, Programme Manager at SDPI, noted the complexity of Pakistan’s power sector, adding that even experts find the system challenging. “The booklet breaks down the entire value chain, from power generation to tariff determination,” Nazir explained. He added that consumer concerns often revolve around fuel price adjustments and quarterly tariff updates.
Dr. Khalid Waleed, SDPI’s energy expert, emphasized the role of pricing signals in shaping energy demand and supply, particularly in developing countries.
