As protests over exorbitant power tariffs in Pakistan refuse to die down, the business community on Tuesday heavily criticised distribution companies (Discos) for not curbing line losses – one of the causes that contribute to increase in electricity rates.
Businesses also showed dismay over imposition of high capacity charges on consumers.
Pakistan’s apex trade body the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) held an emergent press conference on higher electricity tariffs. FPCCI and other association’s officials attended simultaneously from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta via video link.
“Pakistani households and businesses are facing mounting power prices,” said Lahore based Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President FPCCI.
“NEPRA’s latest forecast for power purchase prices for the fiscal year 2023-24 reveals a substantial financial burden, with consumers to bear 68% of costs for fixed capacity payments; primarily benefiting coal plants,” he said.
Hike in power prices has recently trigged protests across the country, with political parties and business communities joining hands with the protestors. The interim government is mired in indecisiveness as increase in electricity prices is in line with commitments made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).