Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif while Chairing a meeting regarding reforms of Power Sector and Solarization in Islamabad, has directed the Federal Minister of Energy(Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari to immediately suspend officials and officers of the power distribution companies, involved in charging excess units in the electricity bills of the consumers. He also directed the Power Division to immediately close the inefficient state-owned power generation plants that produce expensive electricity with imported fuel. Prime Minister also directed him to minimise the ongoing load-shedding in different areas through better load management, considering the public relief in sizzling weather. On the other side, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has urged the Wapda to pay its due Net Hydel Profit (NHP) arrears of Rs 70 billion as the province is facing financial woes. Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur severely criticised the federal government for the hour-long electricity load shedding in the province and has even threatened to cut off half of Pakistan’s energy supplies if the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) does not immediately cease its load-shedding in KPK.
Citizens across the nation are unhappy due to both scheduled and unscheduled load-shedding, with power outages intensifying the situation during the extreme weather. Protests by the public and especially the business community against load-shedding have erupted in several cities, including Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. As per sources, the demand for electricity in the country stands at approximately 25,000 megawatts, while the production is at 19,681 megawatts, resulting in a shortfall of 5,319 megawatts. The situation is particularly dire in areas with high line losses, where residents endure even lengthier power outages, lasting up to 14 hours per day. These prolonged power cuts present significant challenges for Pakistanis, particularly during the sweltering summer months. The government faces mounting pressure to address underlying issues contributing to the shortfall, including inefficiencies within the power sector and reliance on costly imported fuels.
Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Laghari is considered as an energetic, enthusiastic and proactive leader and team member of PML (N) and because of these qualities, Mian Shahbaz Sharif entrusted him with a difficult ministry like WAPDA so that he could rid the country and nation of electricity problems with his professional skills and sincere efforts. I think he is trying hard to fulfil his responsibility. Public is of the view that Government and its authorities have been seen conducting just meetings and press briefings, followed by more meetings and more press briefings. But I would like to ask them about Awais Khan. What can be a better example of his practical actions than that he first started accountability from his home and locality, where FIRs were registered against electricity thieves and bill defaulters and they were even arrested. His statement has reassured electricity consumers by endorsing the government’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the existing solar net metering policy. On the Issue of KPK CM, he visited himself with Mohsin Naqvi and convinced the CM KPK on electricity issue. Burying the hatchet to work together for the greater good, he pledged to keep lights on in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with round-the-clock electricity but linked its promise to a crackdown on rampant power theft, which has been haemorrhaging billions of rupees. He pointed out the loss of billions of rupees to electricity theft, reassuring that if K-P can stop the power pilferage, the Centre would be ready to provide electricity 24/7. During several meeting and briefing on load management and power theft issue, he told that areas with more power theft and line losses and low recovery ratio were being subjected to load-shedding and task forces were being formed at provincial and divisional levels to eliminate the power theft which would undergo a weekly performance review.
The cries of the people burdened by heavy electricity bills have indeed reached the government. Prime Minister has great concern over it. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif took a great initiative by announcing relief for 200 units of electricity consumers. She announced that The Punjab government will distribute free solar panels to consumers consuming 200 units, besides providing interest-free loans to consumers consuming 200 to 500 units and more than 500 units. The government will also contribute 75% in providing interest-free loans. We are hopeful for better results both for public and republic. New infrastructure and technology can reduce Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, increasing overall efficiency. By harnessing solar power, Pakistan can reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels and minimize carbon emissions. Political interference in the energy sector has led to inefficiencies, mismanagement, and a lack of transparency which must be stopped. The police and judicial system must promptly investigate and prosecute all complaints about electricity theft.
The author is a professor of Islamic Studies at Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan.
