Govt considers raising electricity relief limit from 200 to 250 units
The federal government is considering increasing the monthly electricity consumption limit for relief from 200 units to 250 units, as it explores changes to its electricity subsidy policy, Energy Minister Awais Leghari told the Senate on Tuesday.
Speaking during question hour, Leghari said the number of consumers using up to 200 units of electricity had reached 20 million, many of whom had installed solar power systems.
He explained that financially well-off consumers could reduce their grid electricity consumption to below 200 units by using solar systems, prompting the government to reconsider the existing relief mechanism.
The government is working on a system that would provide relief based on poverty levels rather than electricity consumption alone, he said. The minister also stressed the need to establish appropriate electricity tariff slabs to address the issue.
Circular debt target set for four years
Leghari told the Senate that circular debt in the energy sector had declined to Rs1.67 trillion. The government aims to eliminate the debt within the next four years and abolish the debt servicing surcharge imposed on circular debt during the same period.
He said the Ministry of Energy had received Rs1.18 trillion in budgetary support when the current government took office, a figure that had fallen to Rs700 billion in the current fiscal year.
According to the minister, losses incurred by electricity distribution companies have declined annually, but the benefits of those reductions have yet to reach consumers.
Senators raise concerns over electricity bills
During the session, Senator Abid Sher Ali raised concerns about electricity tariffs and the financial burden on consumers. He said electricity prices affected millions of Pakistanis and that even protected consumers were struggling to pay their bills.
Sher Ali pointed out that consuming just one unit above the 200-unit threshold could cause a sharp increase in the electricity bill. He questioned whether consumers were also bearing the cost of electricity theft by distribution companies.
Senate session disrupted over lack of quorum
Earlier, opposition members objected to the absence of government ministers and lawmakers when the Senate session began under the chairmanship of Presiding Officer Senator Abdul Qadir.
Senator Mohsin Aziz subsequently pointed out the lack of quorum, prompting bells to be rung in the chamber. As the required number of members was not present, the session was suspended for half an hour.
When proceedings resumed, only eight members were present. Bells were rung again, and opposition members returned to the chamber. The arrival of another member restored the quorum, allowing proceedings to continue.
Journalists also staged a walkout from the press galleries to protest over unresolved issues. PML-N Senator Nasir Butt and PTI Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi visited the galleries and assured journalists that their concerns would be addressed, after which the protest ended.
Government attendance remained low during the session, with only two members present on the government benches at one point. The Senate was subsequently adjourned until 3pm on Thursday.