Daily Times

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar directed relevant authorities on Sunday to devise “concrete steps” for a reduction in inflated electricity bills and present the plan to him within the next 48 hours. He issued the directives at an emergency meeting at the PM’s Office (PMO) in Islamabad, which he announced a day ago amid countrywide protests by citizens over inflated power bills.

A day earlier, protests were held in cities across the country – which continued on Sunday – due to exorbitant electricity bills on the back of a significant increase in the national average tariff, prompting Kakar to summon an emergency meeting.

Another round of the meeting would be held today (Monday), a statement issued by the PMO said, adding that the interim premier was given a detailed briefing on the high electricity bills for July during today’s session. Addressing the meeting, PM Kakar said, “We will not take any step in haste that will harm the country. We will take measures that won’t further burden the national exchequer and will facilitate the consumers. “It is not possible that while the people face difficulties, high-ranked officials and the prime minister continue to consume free electricity, funded by the taxes they pay.”

Saying so, he directed relevant departments and ministries to submit to him the details of the officers who were being provided free electricity, the PMO statement said. “I represent the common man,” he said, pledging that measures would be implemented to minimise electricity consumption at the PMO and Pak Secretariat. For that, he added, “even if the air conditioner in my room has to be turned off, do it.” Regarding today’s session, the PM said he would hold a detailed consultation with provincial chief ministers on the exorbitant bills for July and the implementation of measures for energy conservation. The PMO statement said he further sought a roadmap from electricity distribution companies to curb electricity theft. Moreover, the PM directed relevant authorities to submit a short-, medium- and long-term plan for reforms in the power sector “as soon as possible”.

Interim Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar, caretaker Commerce Minister Gohar Ijaz, interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, adviser to PM Kakar Dr Waqar Masood, the power secretary, Water and Power Development Authority chairman, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority chairman and other relevant officials attended the meeting, according to the PMO statement. On Saturday, the interim government devised a plan to withdraw subsidised electricity availed by Discos and government officers in grade 17 and above.

Separately, protests were also held in Multan and Lahore’s Shahdara on Sunday against the exorbitant power bills. Residents and traders in Multan’s Alfalah Market took to the streets to protest against the electricity bills as they held banners and set tyres on fire, hence blocking roads. Meanwhile, residents, including women and children, in Lahore’s Shahdara also held protests they burned this month’s bills and vowed to not pay them.

Citizens take to streets of Shahdara in Lahore on Sunday. – Screengrab from video provided by author

Meanwhile, citizens staged a protest demonstration in Rahim Yar Khan, blocking the main road while in the province’s Chunian city angry power consumers blocked the Exchange Road and set their bills ablaze.

Protestors across the country demand a reduction in electricity tariffs and the removal of excess taxes in the utility bills, warning that they would not pay the bills if the demands were not met. Traders, too, protested in Hafizabad by leading a rally from the city’s Fawara Chowk to the press club. In Okara’s Hujra Shah Muqeem, people came out for demonstrations as well. Protesters burnt electricity cables and raised slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and the government. Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq announced holding a nationwide strike on September 2 against the “exorbitant increase in electricity prices, where people from “Karachi to Chitral would take to the streets”. The party’s Karachi president, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, urged PM Kakar to ” announce immediate relief for the people” in the meeting on the matter. Meanwhile, PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be approached to negotiate on the possible relief that could be provided to the public. Separately, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) also urged the interim government to take immediate steps, cautioning that if it “does not show seriousness, defeated politicians can take advantage” of the situation. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) also called on the government to take immediate steps to address the people’s concerns.