Uniform power tariff: Hafeez mulls over various proposals

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has deliberated on different proposals as to how monthly, quarterly and yearly adjustments should be treated to give a uniform tariff to consumers for a period of 12 to 18 months with the objective to protect them from inflationary pressures.

The meeting on the issues of power sector presided over by Advisor on Thursday discussed various proposals in the light of a detailed presentation by Power Division. The meeting, sources stated, discussed renegotiation of capacity payment, 18-month tariff adjustment as well as peak-hour rate adjustment.

They further stated that the meeting also weighed the proposal how the industrial tariff could be reduced to increase consumption of power by the industry which, at this point in time, is low for growth and employment creation.

Adviser Finance asked the Energy Division to take input from other stakeholders as well to build a final proposal with the objective of saving the energy consumers from inflationary pressures and providing ease by a gradual reduction in the prevailing tariffs.

The participants are expected to firm up their proposals further with valuable input from other stakeholders before final approval by the competent forum (ECC).