Farmers term net-metering policy ‘economic killing’

LAHORE: The General Council of Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP), with participation from representatives of all four provinces, has strongly rejected the government’s new net metering policy, describing it as ‘economic terrorism’ and an attempt to protect Independent Power Producers (IPPs) at the expense of farmers and domestic consumers.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of KBP President Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan. Provincial presidents, secretaries and members of the general council attended the session. Addressing the media along with media secretary Haji Muhammad Ramzan after the meeting, Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan said the decision to abolish net metering was anti-people and aimed at depriving citizens of their right to affordable electricity.

The KBP leaders alleged that after what they termed the ‘economic killing’ of wheat, cotton, rice and potato growers due to flawed policies and low returns, the government has now targeted farmers who invested in solar energy systems. “The rulers want to ensure continued windfall profits for their favoured IPP owners by discouraging low-cost solar generation,” they claimed.

According to the Board, the government had encouraged farmers and the public to invest in solar installations under an attractive policy framework, but has now reversed course by scrapping net metering. The Board maintained that the move would place an additional financial burden on small and medium farmers who had installed solar systems to operate tube-wells, reduce irrigation costs and stabilize agricultural output. “Solar power had become a lifeline for the rural economy. The withdrawal of net metering has extinguished that hope,” said KBP Secretary Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan.

The farmers’ body further contended that successive power sector policies have failed to resolve structural inefficiencies and that the cost of mismanagement is now being shifted to the public. It accused the government of prioritising the interests of the so-called “IPP mafia” over consumers and renewable energy development.

KBP Vice President Noor Elahi Tatla demanded that the government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) immediately withdraw the decision, safeguard the rights of solar consumers and introduce policies that promote affordable and clean energy rather than extending further concessions to IPPs. The organisation warned that if the decision is not reversed, it would launch a nationwide protest movement in collaboration with farmers across the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026