Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Thursday said that reduction in power tariff and provision of electricity to the people at affordable price were government’s top priorities. Addressing at press conference here, the minister said that various pragmatic measures were being taken to slash electricity prices in order to provide maximum relief to the masses. He said the electricity price should reduce Rs 10 per unit for which agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were mutually revised and reassessed. He said the prime minister set up a National Task Force to bring reforms in the power sector. Five IPPs were identified and negotiation were started with them, he added. He said every section of the agreements were thoroughly studied and then mutually reached at an agreement to terminate the power purchase agreements with 5 IPPs.

The Minister said that it would help save around Rs 60-70 billion annually and cumulative benefit of Rs 411 billion to the national kitty. He appreciated the owners of five IPPs to terminate the contracts in larger national interest. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) also supported the National Task Force, he added. He said that the agreement would be materialized in next few days. He paid rich tribute to entire Task Force, National Coordinator Lt Gen Zafar, Special Advisor to Prime Minister on Power (SAPM), representative of CPPA, PPIB, NEPRA for doing this job to provide relief to the masses. Awais also announced setting up of Independent Market Operator System in the power sector. A full-fledged institution was being set up which would be fully operational in January 2025, he said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan