Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has called for a shift towards more intelligent strategies to address Pakistan’s persistent power issues. Abbasi emphasized that the recent increase in electricity prices is closely tied to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.
As a short-term solution, he suggested extending bill payments over a period of five to six months.To find a more enduring solution, Abbasi proposed implementing taxes across all industries, thereby allowing the electricity sector to reduce billing costs.
During a discussion, he underscored the significance of revitalizing solar energy in Pakistan. This perspective was also echoed by former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and former PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who cautioned against overreliance on capacity payments for utility bills.
Mr. Khokhar emphasized that depending solely on capacity payments is not a prudent approach. Abbasi reiterated the importance of promoting solar energy initiatives in the region and pointed out that increasing electricity generation is crucial for encouraging the use of solar resources.
Abbasi further noted that the government has struggled to find a solution to the country’s financial shortfall for covering electricity bills. This situation has been deemed “unnecessary” and “unsustainable” by the government, leading to criticism from the public.
The high cost of electricity supply has been labeled as “unacceptable,” as recognized by the National Energy Council of Pakistan. Estimates for the cost of electricity supply have been provided by the NEC.
