Pakistan to increase power tariffs by 31 pc

Islamabad, Aug 31: Power to become more deared in Pakistan. Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Pakistan Prime Minister on Saturday, Aug 30 evening reportedly okayed the decision to increase power tariffs by 31 percent, giving rest to the fears of the common man (to some extent) that the power prices might shoot up by 50-60 percent.

This is said to be an unprecedented hike in power prices in the history of Pakistan. The notification for the rise in power rates is expected to take place in a day or two. Earlier, it notification was to be issued on Friday, Aug 29. According to The News, the PM modified the decision of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to increase the power tariff by 50-60 per cent, and allowed the prices to go up by 31 percent only.

"After a detailed review of the determination by NEPRA, the prime minister, in consultation with Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar and Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, allowed a 31 per cent increase in power tariff," the paper quoted an official as saying on the condition of anonymity.

He added: "It is for the first time in the recent history of the country that power tariff is being increased by 31 per cent."

The official disclosed that after the notification of the new tariff, unlike the past practice, a consumer would pay the price of electricity in accordance with the rate of the slab in which his power consumption would fall.

He said that if the consumption of power by a consumer fell in the third slab, he would be charged for the whole consumption at the rate of the third slab and would not be allowed to benefit from rates of lower slabs. "There will be no increase in power tariff for consumers who consume only 50 units but those who consume more than 50 units will now have to pay huge bills," he added.

The official said that currently consumers were charged Rs 3.08 per unit for first 100 units, Rs 4 per unit for next 200 units and Rs 6.53 per unit above 300 units. But, after the notification of the new tariff and formula, a consumer who would consume more than 50 units of power would be charged the rate of the last slab for the whole consumption.

ANI