Shehbaz hints at further cut in power bills

By Asher Butt

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday hinted at a further reduction in the electricity tariff to facilitate consumers and industries under the ongoing power sector reforms.

Chairing a review meeting on the implementation of power sector reforms, he said by the grace of Allah, the ongoing reforms were yielding positive results, and it was a good sign that the ministry and relevant departments were cooperating to address the shortcomings of the last seven decades. “We promised to the public from day one that low-cost environment-friendly electricity will be provided to them,” he said.

He pointed out that revisiting of agreements with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) not only reduced the burden on the state kitty but also brought the power tariff down, facilitating the consumers.

He said the reduction in distribution companies’ deficits due to the campaign against electricity theft was made possible because of the hard work of the Ministry of Power and supporting institutions.

The premier vowed to bring down the losses of distribution companies, caused by power theft, by 100 percent by speeding up the campaign against power theft.

He said the performance of distribution companies (Discos) was improving after the appointment of board members of good repute from the private sector adding that more people of good repute would be hired from the private sector for constituting boards in the remaining companies. He said the reduction in losses during electricity transmission was evidence of the positive result of reforms. The meeting was briefed about the power sector targets for the next three years and the performance of the sector.

The meeting was told that the receipts of the distribution companies had reached 93.26 percent by December 2024 as a result of reforms and a campaign against electricity theft. The participants were also informed about the strategy to reduce the circular debt in phases, the establishment of competitive markets for the transmission of electricity and the timeline for reduction in power tariffs and other reforms. The meeting was informed about the progress on the 500kv Matiari-Moro-Rahim Yar Khan transmission line and Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad transmission line. They were also apprised of the dissolution of National Transmission and Dispatch Company and of the progress on the formation of a new Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company. The prime minister directed the completion of all reforms and projects within the stipulated timeframe.

Federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadiq Malik Sardar Awais Leghari, Special Assistant to PM Muhammad Ali and high-level officers concerned attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz appreciated the security forces for their successful operation in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan district and for killing three Fitna Al-Khwarij terrorists. He said the whole nation saluted the security forces, adding that the government was determined to root out all forms of terrorism from the country.

In a video message at the two-day “DawnMedia Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference “, the prime minister reiterated his call for more predictable, flexible, and grant-based financial support for developing countries to enable them to build resilient infrastructure and invest in sustainable development. “Without such support, the path to climate adaption and green transformation will remain elusive,” the prime minister said

He told the international gathering that Pakistan’s climate story embodied a “cruel paradox”, as its emissions were less than one percent and yet it was one of the most climate-affected countries with climate change-induced floods, glacial meltdown, blistering heatwaves and soil-cracking droughts. He recalled that two years ago, one-third of Pakistan had submerged in floodwaters, displacing 33 million people and claiming 1,700 innocent lives. This tragedy transformed climate change from a distant threat to an urgent call to action.

Lauding the organisers for hosting the conference to contemplate “one of the most pressing challenges of our times”, the prime minister said his government had inherited robust frameworks including the “National Climate Change Policy 2021” and the “National Adaptation Plan 2023” which alone were not enough.

He said after recognising implementation gaps, the government prioritised governance reforms, policy execution and capacity-building initiatives. “Initiatives like the 5Es and 5Cs are rooted in our homegrown transformation plan, Uraan Pakistan. We are integrating climate resilience into energy, equity, connectivity and development,” he remarked.

Later, the prime minister inaugurated the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, ahead of the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He was accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz expressed his delight after the stadium’s reconstruction with “such grandeur”. He expressed his faith in the Pakistan team to win the tournament, stating, “We all are praying for you.”

He expressed the hope that Pakistan squad would win the hearts of compatriots by clinching victory, especially, defeating arch-rival India in the upcoming match to be held in Dubai. “We are all waiting for the moment when you will defeat India. Babar Azam and Rizwan, we have lots of expectations from you.”

Earlier in the day, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi inspected the arrangements for the grand opening ceremony and directed officials to ensure a spectacular event befitting the newly revamped Gaddafi Stadium. Naqvi returned to the country early in the morning and without taking a break, headed straight to the Gaddafi Stadium to oversee the preparations. “This event should reflect the grandeur of the new Gaddafi Stadium,” Naqvi emphasized. He credited the entire team for completing the stadium’s reconstruction in record time, calling it a proud moment for Pakistan. In another development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a comprehensive reform plan for revival of the maritime sector. Under the plan, the Pakistan Maritime and Seaport Authority has been established and a committee headed by the defence minister will ensure the implementation of the plan. The committee will meet every fortnight to monitor the implementation of the approved steps. Restructuring of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, modernization of the National Ports Master plan and standardization of port tariffs will be implemented. Special attention will be paid to the digitization of seaports, aquaculture and other sectors and new terminals will also be established on different seaports under the reform plan.