ISLAMABAD: Despite escalating electricity generation costs, the special relief of Rs7.41 per unit in power tariff—announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—remains in effect, the Ministry of Energy confirmed on Saturday.
The ministry attributed the surge in power costs to a historic low in hydropower generation and increased reliance on expensive thermal power plants using alternative fuels. To mitigate the impact, provincial governments and federal ministries have been directed to enforce Energy Efficient Building Codes, particularly during periods of extreme temperatures.
Further relief measures include the upcoming launch of energy-efficient fans, which use up to 70% less electricity. These will be made available on easy, interest-free installment plans to encourage replacement of older, power-hungry appliances.
Meanwhile, Federal Energy Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik criticized power producers for not utilizing imported gas per contractual agreements. This non-compliance, he noted, has forced imported gas to be diverted to domestic consumers at subsidized rates, contributing to the growing circular debt.
Malik emphasized that while the government’s success in stabilizing electricity and fuel prices is commendable, sustaining relief in one sector has placed added strain on another—particularly the petroleum sector.
