PTI Government Devises Comprehensive Programme To Address Power Sector Issues

PTI government devises comprehensive programme to address power sector issues

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led government since its inception has evolved comprehensive programme to resolve power sector related issues including circular debt, power theft, recovery of outstanding bills, generation, distribution and reforms in the entire sector.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Dec, 2018 ) :Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) led government since its inception has evolved comprehensive programme to resolve power sector related issues including circular debt, power theft, recovery of outstanding bills, generation, distribution and reforms in the entire sector.

Sources told APP here, that anti-Power theft campaign, reducing the gap between NEPRA and government tariff, crackdown on irregularities and corrupt practices, relief for the poor, support for agriculture and industrial sectors, advance metering infrastructure, removing constraints for efficient transmission, improvement of distribution system and solarization of agri tube-wells in Balochistan are some initiatives of the incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, They said a Task Force on Energy Reforms had also been constituted to address the power sector issues. Under the anti power theft campaign with the main slogan of zero tolerance for over billing and corruption, some 267,571,528 units had been charged in all power distribution companies (DISCOs) so far.

The sources said commercial loan worth Rs.

35.8 billion had been acquired to reduce the circular debt burden further while the government was in process to obtain Islamic Financing of around Rs.100-200 billion against the assets of DISCOs and GENCOs through Islamic Banking.

They said over 7,000 cases were registered against power pilferage besides arresting 1088 accused. Giving the breakup, out of total, some 251,297,525 units were charged in Punjab, 6,554,684 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 9,050,764 in Sindh and 668,555 in Balochistan.

Regarding relief to the poor, agri and industrial sectors, they said the government maintained power tariff for consumers using upto 300 units besides approving subsidy for farmers of Balochistan on agricultural tube well.

Similarly, for five main export oriented industries, the power tariff has been capped at the rate of 7.5/unit US cent.

Moreover, for bringing improvement in National Transmission and Desptach Company (NTDC) system, Chakdara 220 KV grid and transmission line has been made operational, extension work at Mardan 220 KV Grid and D I Khan KV line has also been completed.