Protected power consumers: Imtiaz opposes ‘withdrawal of subsidies’

KARACHI: Former Sindh Energy Minister and Member of Provincial Assembly Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh has expressed serious concerns over reports regarding the withdrawal of subsidies for protected electricity consumers and a possible ban on the separate residential meter scheme, saying that removing subsidies for consumers using less than 200 electricity units would amount to an injustice against the poor and middle class.

He said that the country is already facing inflation, unemployment, prolonged load-shedding and high electricity bills, and in such circumstances placing additional financial burden on low-consumption consumers is unacceptable.

Imtiaz Sheikh said that protected consumers belong to low-income households who manage their expenses within limited resources and withdrawal of subsidies would push millions of families into severe financial distress.

He added that on one hand prolonged and unannounced load-shedding continues while on the other citizens are forced to pay heavy electricity bills, making it extremely difficult for daily wage earners, low-paid employees and the middle class to cope with a double financial burden.

The former minister said that any restriction on separate residential connections would significantly increase electricity bills for small houses, joint family systems and rented portions, making electricity usage more difficult for ordinary citizens.

He said that fixed taxes, surcharges, fuel adjustment charges and other levies have already turned electricity bills into a major burden for the middle class.

Imtiaz Sheikh stated that reforms in the energy sector should not be used to shift the burden onto ordinary consumers while issues such as electricity theft, line losses and poor governance remain unaddressed. He urged the federal government to immediately continue subsidies for protected consumers, remove unnecessary taxes and surcharges from electricity bills and take effective measures to permanently resolve the load-shedding crisis.

He further said that the Pakistan People’s Party would not support any decision that increases the burden on the poor and middle class and would strongly oppose all measures that go against public interest and the welfare of citizens.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026