Within 48 hours
JI, MQM-P warn of protests, traders’ union warns of “civil disobedience movement” if demands not met
Islamabad
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed relevant authorities on Sunday to devise “concrete steps” for a reduction in inflated electricity bills and present the plan to him within the next 48 hours.
He issued the directives at an emergency meeting at the PM’s Office (PMO) in Islamabad, which he announced a day ago amid countrywide protests by citizens over inflated power bills.
A day earlier, protests were held in cities across the country — which continue today — due to exorbitant electricity bills on the back of a significant increase in the national average tariff, prompting Kakar to summon an emergency meeting.
Another round of the meeting would be held tomorrow (Monday), a statement issued by the PMO said, adding that the interim premier was given a detailed briefing on the high electricity bills for July during today’s session.
Addressing the meeting, PM Kakar said, “We will not take any step in haste that will harm the country. We will take measures that won’t further burden the national exchequer and will facilitate the consumers.
“It is not possible that while the people face difficulties, high-ranked officials and the prime minister continue to consume free electricity paid for with the taxes people pay.”
Saying so, he directed relevant departments and ministries to submit to him the details of the officers who were being provided free electricity, the PMO statement said.
“I represent the common man,” he said, pledging that measures would be implemented to minimise electricity consumption at the PM House and Pak Secretariat. For that, he added, “even if the air conditioner in my room has to be turned off, do it.”
Regarding tomorrow’s session, the PM said he would hold a detailed consultation with provincial chief ministers on the exorbitant bills for July and the implementation of measures for energy conservation.
The PMO statement said he further sought a roadmap from electricity distribution companies to curb electricity theft.
Moreover, the PM directed relevant authorities to submit a short-, medium- and long-term plan for reforms in the power sector “as soon as possible”.
He later said on X that the interim government would try to provide as much relief to the people as possible while operating within its mandate.
Interim Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ijaz, interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, adviser to PM Kakar Dr Waqar Masood, the power secretary, Water and Power Development Authority chairman, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority chairman and other relevant officials attended the meeting, according to the PMO statement.
On Saturday, the interim government devised a plan to withdraw subsidised electricity availed by Discos and government officers in grade 17 and above.
Interim Information Minister Solangi confirmed to Dawn that the facility of free electricity units to Discos officers would be discontinued as well and the “summary to take back the facility of free electricity to grade 17 and above officers would be presented in the next cabinet meeting”.
