By Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi announced on Monday that the Ministry of Energy has formulated a set of recommendations to address the problem of high electricity bills, which have led to widespread protests across the country. These recommendations are scheduled to be presented in the federal cabinet meeting tomorrow.
Since Saturday, a significant increase in the national average electricity tariff has sparked public demonstrations against inflated power bills. This public outcry prompted interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq to take immediate action by calling for an “emergency” meeting on Sunday to discuss the issue. However, the meeting held yesterday did not reach a conclusive decision, and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that another round of discussions would take place today.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Solangi conveyed a statement from the Ministry of Energy, revealing that a high-level meeting had taken place where proposals concerning electricity bills were finalized. However, the ultimate decision lies with the federal cabinet, as only they have the authority to endorse these proposals and make a final decision.
Sources have indicated that the Ministry of Energy has proposed offering a single-tier benefit on electricity bills for domestic consumers and considering tax relief for electricity consumers. Additionally, the meeting explored the possibility of introducing installment plans to assist customers facing difficulties in paying their electricity bills in full. The Ministry of Finance’s input on reducing taxes imposed on electricity bills will also be sought.
The issue of inflated power bills has triggered nationwide protests, with demonstrations occurring from Karachi to Khyber. Some of these protests have turned violent. The protesters are demanding an end to the provision of free electricity to influential figures and are calling for relief from bills that exceed their salaries.
It is worth noting that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar chaired an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s House on Sunday to discuss the rising power bills. During this meeting, the caretaker PM was briefed on the increase in power bills for July. He directed relevant ministries to present comprehensive power sector reforms and short, medium, and long-term plans as soon as possible. Furthermore, he instructed these ministries to provide complete details about the officers and institutions currently receiving free electricity.
