Electricity supply to southwestern Balochistan: Pakistan owes USD12m to Iran’s power co, NA told

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that Pakistan currently owes around USD12 million to Iran’s state-owned power utility, Tavanir, for electricity imported to supply parts of southwestern Balochistan.

In a written reply, Energy Minister Awais Leghari said Pakistan imports up to 204 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Iran under an agreement signed in November 2002 to supply the Makran region, including Gwadar.

Under the agreement, Pakistan is required to purchase or pay for 30 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, irrespective of actual consumption.

The contract is between the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) and Iran’s Tavanir, with tariffs approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra).

READ MORE: Leghari reviews progress on power project for Gwadar

The outstanding amount is being paid in instalments, the minister said. The agreement was amended in December 2024 and extended for another two years.

Electricity is supplied through four cross-border interconnections serving parts of Kech, Panjgur, Gwadar, Washuk and Chagai districts. These include Turbat, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Mashkail and Taftan, along with surrounding villages.

Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) is responsible for billing consumers and collecting payments under Nepra’s notified tariffs. Load-shedding continues in the affected areas on the basis of aggregate technical and commercial losses, the minister said.

Although the Makran region has been connected to the national grid, lengthy transmission lines and voltage fluctuations remain obstacles to improving electricity supply.

A study on installing dynamic equipment, including a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM), to address voltage problems is expected to be completed by September 2027.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026