ISLAMABAD:The Power Division has clarified that there is no plan to impose a new power surcharge on electricity bills to cover commercial loans taken to reduce the circular debt.
This assurance came during a public hearing convened to consider the division’s motion for reducing the national electricity tariff by up to Rs1.15 per unit due to tariff rebasing. Officials stated that the average national tariff would decrease from Rs32.73 to Rs31.59 per unit. All consumers, except those in the lifeline category, will benefit from the Rs1.15 per unit cut in base tariff.
However, concerns were raised during the hearing. Tanveer Bari of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that a proposed surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit to cover loan repayments could negate the relief. He criticized the short notice for reviewing the motion and urged Nepra to extend the review period to at least seven days. Bari also called for eliminating the solar net metering cap and reducing fixed industrial charges.
Other participants expressed concerns about rising industrial rates post-June 30 and alleged overbilling by DISCOs, who were accused of manipulating meter readings to remove consumers from protected categories.
Rehan Javed argued for fair tariff rebasing for K-Electric consumers and advocated a separate tariff for B3 meter consumers. He stressed increasing sanctioned industrial loads and revising peak hour rates.
Industrialist Arif Bilwani questioned whether the cabinet had approved the petition, to which officials confirmed the approval. He also highlighted delays in policy for cold storages.
Meanwhile, senior citizen Tariq Abdul Majeed criticized higher charges for those consuming over 200 units. The Power Division clarified that subsidies continue for users under that threshold.
Story by Zafar Bhutta
