ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing a meeting on energy sector reforms on Saturday, directed the authorities concerned to formulate a comprehensive strategy to stabilise electricity tariffs.
During the meeting, the prime minister stressed the need to provide relief to both industrial and domestic electricity consumers and instructed officials concerned to take concrete measures in this regard. He also called for significant improvements in the power transmission system to reduce line losses.
Highlighting the importance of modernisation, the premier stressed the use of advanced technology in the energy sector and ordered the promotion of renewable energy projects to address the country’s energy shortfall.
He further underscored the need to enhance digital facilities to make electricity bill payments more convenient for consumers.
PM Shehbaz also directed to continue strict measures against electricity theft and reiterated that an uninterrupted energy supply was essential for promoting industrial growth.
He stated that providing relief to domestic consumers remained one of the government’s top priorities.
He added that reforms in the energy sector would be implemented keeping in view the broader interests of the public and industry.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, officials presented recommendations regarding electricity consumption for both domestic users and the industrial sector.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and others.
Last month, it emerged that the government is preparing a new power tariff structure to encourage industrial consumers to maximise their operations during the daytime and minimise them during peak consumption hours in the evening.
The power minister discussed the concept with World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabaza. The minister informed the World Bank official that the Power Division, after assessing concessional tariffs, was currently working on time-of-use proposals to further enhance energy competitiveness.
