Steel manufacturers laud PM for relief in power tariff for industries

LAHORE: The Pakistan Association of Large Steel Producers (PALSP) on Wednesday welcomed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s step to reduce power tariffs for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and industries. In a letter written to Prime Minister Imran Khan, PALSP Secretary General Syed Wajid Iqbal Bukhari said the government’s decision “is an unprecedented step towards improving the country’s economy and reducing inflation”.  Bukhari, however, added that there were still two major concerns that needed to be addressed and fine-tuned for the betterment of the economy.  He said that the classification of…

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Redesigning power sector

The tariff regime of public utilities has completely unnerved the people of Pakistan and despite a stupendous increase in utility bills, it appears that further increases are expected. If such a thing happens then the majority of the people will completely lose their ability to pay. The situation is critical as IMF is breathing down the neck and is insisting on further increase in tariffs. The choice is hazardous as the political dispensation is already pushed far enough and may not be able to withstand another wave of inflation that…

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Circular debt of power sector touches Rs2.3tr, PAC told

ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday was informed that that country’s circular debt of the power sector had reached at Rs2.3 trillion till now and the record increases witness in circular debt of Rs1.139 trillion, which is almost double in last two years of the PTI government. It was informed that an increase of Rs116 billion was witnessed in last three months, while in first six months of fiscal year 2018-19, it was increased by Rs288 billion and Rs198 billion in last six months of the fiscal year…

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PM’s directives disregarded: ECC decides to slash industrial power tariff by 30pc

ISLAMABAD: While disregarding the directives of the prime minister for reducing the power tariff for industrial sector, especially for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by 50 percent, the ECC on Monday decided to partially reduce the power tariff in the range of 25 to 30 percent. The ECC left its final approval with the cabinet that is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (today) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the final decision. The ECC has also directed the Power Division to fine-tune categories of its different slabs…

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Govt approves subsidy for farmers

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday approved a fertiliser subsidy of Rs5.4 billion for farmers, two days after a ruckus in the federal cabinet over increasing inflation and the lack of a coordinated response to tackle it. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved a subsidy of Rs1,000 per 50kg bag of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance. The Rs5.4 billion subsidy has been worked out on the basis of 30% outreach to the farmers and the federal government will bear…

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