Concerns over fixed taxes and charges imposed through electricity bills were raised during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, with lawmakers calling for relief for consumers facing rising utility costs.
The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, where member Senator Kamil Ali Agha proposed the abolition of fixed charges included in electricity bills.
Speaking during the session, Agha argued that fixed charges had become a significant burden on the public. He cited his own experience, claiming that the electricity consumed at his lodges amounted to Rs6,200, while fixed charges added another Rs6,800 to the bill.
He further questioned the criteria used to determine economic hardship, remarking that recent discussions suggested a person earning Rs8,500 was not considered poor.
Responding to the remarks, Committee Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla said that, under such circumstances, one could simply disconnect the electricity connection. The comment prompted further discussion on the impact of fixed charges on low-consumption users.
Agha maintained that consumers using as little as 100 electricity units were effectively being charged as if they had consumed much more. He described the fixed charges as unfair and urged the committee to formally recommend their removal.
The senator argued that the current billing structure disproportionately affects households and small consumers, many of whom struggle to manage increasing utility expenses despite low electricity usage.
Chairman Mandviwalla said the committee would invite officials from the Power Division after the budget process to seek clarification on the rationale behind the fixed charges and to discuss possible reforms.
The issue of electricity tariffs and additional charges remains a major public concern, with consumers and lawmakers frequently calling for measures to reduce the financial burden of power bills amid broader economic challenges.