Within 48 hours
\nJI, MQM-P warn of protests, traders\u2019 union warns of \u201ccivil disobedience movement\u201d if demands not met
\nIslamabad
\nInterim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed relevant authorities on Sunday to devise \u201cconcrete steps\u201d for a reduction in inflated electricity bills and present the plan to him within the next 48 hours.
\nHe issued the directives at an emergency meeting at the PM\u2019s Office (PMO) in Islamabad, which he announced a day ago amid countrywide protests by citizens over inflated power bills.
\nA day earlier, protests were held in cities across the country \u2014 which continue today \u2014 due to exorbitant electricity bills on the back of a significant increase in the national average tariff, prompting Kakar to summon an emergency meeting.
\nAnother 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\u2019s session.
\nAddressing the meeting, PM Kakar said, \u201cWe will not take any step in haste that will harm the country. We will take measures that won\u2019t further burden the national exchequer and will facilitate the consumers.
\n\u201cIt 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.\u201d
\nSaying 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.
\n\u201cI represent the common man,\u201d he said, pledging that measures would be implemented to minimise electricity consumption at the PM House and Pak Secretariat. For that, he added, \u201ceven if the air conditioner in my room has to be turned off, do it.\u201d
\nRegarding tomorrow\u2019s 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.
\nThe PMO statement said he further sought a roadmap from electricity distribution companies to curb electricity theft.
\nMoreover, the PM directed relevant authorities to submit a short-, medium- and long-term plan for reforms in the power sector \u201cas soon as possible\u201d.
\nHe 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.
\nInterim 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.
\nOn Saturday, the interim government devised a plan to withdraw subsidised electricity availed by Discos and government officers in grade 17 and above.
\nInterim Information Minister Solangi confirmed to Dawn that the facility of free electricity units to Discos officers would be discontinued as well and the \u201csummary to take back the facility of free electricity to grade 17 and above officers would be presented in the next cabinet meeting\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Within 48 hours JI, MQM-P warn of protests, traders\u2019 union warns of \u201ccivil disobedience movement\u201d if demands not met Islamabad Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed relevant authorities on Sunday to devise \u201cconcrete steps\u201d for a reduction in inflated electricity bills and present the plan to him within the next 48 hours. He issued […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":352040,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-352012","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n