CCOP Approves Sale of Six Loss-Making Power Firms; Consumers to Bear Rs200 Billion Burden

Power-Projects

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) has approved the sale of six of the highest loss-making power distribution companies and four power generation companies, which collectively incur annual losses exceeding Rs200 billion. This decision, aimed at reducing the financial strain on the power sector, indicates that consumers will continue to face high electricity bills to cover these losses. The CCOP, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, reiterated its commitment to privatizing 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) over the next five years. Despite this decision,…

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Karachi Residents Face New Municipal Utility Charges in Electricity Bills

Your-Bill

KARACHI: In a move that adds to the financial burden of Karachi’s residents, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has formally notified the collection of the controversial Municipal Utility Charges and Tax (MUCT) through K-Electric (KE) bills. This new charge will cost residents up to Rs400 extra in their electricity bills for the current month. Officials from both KMC and KE have confirmed the implementation of MUCT, which is expected to generate over four billion rupees annually for the city’s municipal administration. A KMC official stated that KE consumers will see…

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PM Shehbaz Focuses on Reducing Electricity Prices to Boost Economy

Shahbaz-Sharif

Emphasizes the need for affordable electricity for agriculture and industry growth.Criticizes politicization of electricity pricing, citing inefficiencies and corruption in the FBR and energy sector.Requests China to reprofile Pakistan’s debt to secure IMF bailout. ISLAMABAD: In response to Jamaat-i-Islami’s (JI) 48-hour ultimatum to reduce electricity prices, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that the government is committed to providing relief to energy consumers. He urged against politicizing the issue, stating that doing so disrespects the public. During a cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted that reducing electricity prices is…

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High Capacity Payments Threaten Economy: APTMA

Nepra-Price

High Capacity Payments Threaten Economy: APTMA August 2, 2024 KARACHI: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has blamed Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for the country’s high electricity tariffs, stating that exorbitant capacity payments to IPPs have jeopardized Pakistan’s economy. Addressing a press conference at the APTMA house in Karachi, Zahid Mazhar, Chairman of APTMA Southern Zone, criticized measures in the Federal Budget FY25 as being anti-exports, which he warned could lead to deindustrialization and a significant drop in exports. Mazhar highlighted that the textile sector, which contributes 55% to…

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Private Sector Profits from Cheap Russian Oil, Public Left Out: Petroleum Minister

Musadik-Malik

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Petroleum, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, has accused the private sector of reaping substantial profits from the import of discounted Russian oil without passing the benefits to the general public. This claim was made during a recent meeting led by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, to finalize the agenda for an upcoming high-level meeting in Moscow. Dr. Malik noted that the December 2022 visit significantly strengthened bilateral relations, focusing on energy cooperation. However, he expressed concerns that the cheaper Russian oil, intended to benefit…

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