Pakistan govt announces relief for flood-affected electricity consumers

The federal government has announced relief measures for electricity consumers in flood-hit areas of Punjab and across Pakistan, easing the financial burden on affected residents.

During a meeting at the LESCO headquarters in Lahore, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari revealed that consumers in flood-affected regions will receive special relief, including extended deadlines for bill payments.

The minister further stated that if additional relief is announced for flood victims, the distribution companies (DISCOs) will waive applicable charges.

Leghari acknowledged that floodwaters have hindered the restoration of power in some areas but assured that electricity supply would be fully restored as soon as water levels recede.

Highlighting the ongoing support to the people, the minister shared that, out of 33 million electricity consumers in Pakistan, 18 million are currently benefiting from a 70% discount on their bills.

Additionally, LESCO employees have made a donation of one day’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, underscoring their commitment to the cause. Leghari emphasized that the safety of both consumers and workers would remain a top priority.

He also pointed out the increasing number of consumers who have turned to solar energy, noting that many have installed solar panels, reducing their consumption to below 200 units, and thereby lowering their bills.

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Leghari attributed effective government actions to a visible reduction in power tariffs, stating that those who fail to recognize this reduction are simply “blindfolded.”

The minister also discussed the ongoing crackdown on electricity theft in Punjab, revealing that over 41,000 people have been arrested as part of the operation.

On the subject of power production, Leghari mentioned the installation of new Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with net metering. While the system has added Rs4 per unit to electricity costs, he stressed that the government must address this burden responsibly.

Leghari also updated on the privatization process of WAPDA, highlighting that it is moving forward, alongside a rightsizing initiative within the department. He made it clear that the current government has refrained from political hiring, focusing instead on empowering the companies.

In a move aimed at further reducing costs, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) recently slashed the power tariff by Rs1.89 per unit, offering additional relief to consumers nationwide.