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ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP):The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, held a meeting on Tuesday to review serious concerns in the power sector, including rising electricity costs, long hours of load shedding, and delays in development projects.
Officials from the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) informed the committee that the installed capacity of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) increased from 9,765 megawatts in 2015 to 25,642 megawatts in 2024. However, the annual cost of capacity payments also rose sharply from Rs141 billion to Rs1.4 trillion.
Committee members questioned how power generation from sugarcane waste could show a 200% increase. CPPA-G officials replied that while a 45% output was estimated, the actual figures were higher. MNA Riaz Fatyana criticized the situation where non-operational power plants still receive payments and raised questions about the location of coal plants in areas with no coal supply.
A major issue discussed was the billing system, where a consumer using just one unit more than 200 is charged a higher tariff for six months. The committee called this unfair and demanded a review. The Power Secretary revealed that 18 million consumers fall in the 200-unit slab and confirmed plans to shift to direct subsidies by 2027 using BISP data.
MNA Shazia Marri raised concerns over severe load shedding, reporting 15 to 16 hours of power outages in her constituency. She called electricity a basic need, not a luxury.
The committee also discussed the incomplete electricity schemes in different parts of the country. Lawmakers expressed frustration over millions of rupees released since 2021 for development projects that remain unfinished. A special audit has been recommended to investigate delays and possible mismanagement.
The PAC referred the issue of IPPs to a subcommittee and directed authorities to complete pending electricity schemes within three months.