DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Peshawar Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries has expressed serious reservations over the new net metering policy of the federal government, terming it detrimental to small businesses and industrial units.
In a joint statement, Group Leader and President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Traders Association Malik Mehar Elahi, President of the Peshawar Chamber Shakeel Ahmed Khan Saraf, Senior Vice President Haji Tila Muhammad, Vice President Malik Zohaib Arif, and Traders Association spokesperson Shahzad Ahmed Siddiqui criticised the federal government’s move to abolish net metering and introduce a net billing system.
They said small traders and industrialists were already under severe pressure due to high electricity tariffs, taxes and rising operational costs. In such circumstances, the installation of solar systems had provided much-needed relief by reducing monthly electricity bills and supporting business sustainability.
However, under the new policy, they said, surplus electricity generated by solar consumers would be purchased at a lower rate, while electricity drawn from the national grid would be charged at the full tariff, significantly increasing overall costs.
The business leaders warned that the decision would undermine the economic viability of existing solar installations and discourage future investment in renewable energy. They added that any adverse impact on small and medium-sized enterprises would directly affect employment and the local economy.
They urged the government and relevant authorities to immediately review the policy and retain incentives for small traders and industrialists. They cautioned that if the concerns of the business community were not addressed, a future course of action would be announced after consultation.
