PM Sharif to announce energy policy Tuesday; power tariff hike likely

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be announcing the new energy policy on Tuesday (July 23), during which he is expected to inform the nation about the steps being taken on emergency basis to enhance power generation besides announcing a hike in power tariff for consumers using over 200 units of electricity per month.

According to sources at the Ministry of Water and Power, the Premier will be giving a go ahead to the new energy policy at the meeting of Council of Common Interest (CCI) to be held on July 23 followed by its announcement the same day.

Sources further said that it is being expected that the power subsidy will be considerably reduced in the new energy policy and the price of electricity will not be raised for consumers of up to 200 units.

Under the new policy, Mr Sharif is also expected to announce short to medium-term power generation projects, including hydro and coal based projects. The new policy is also likely to envisage targeted steps for prevention/ reduction of power theft.

According to a well placed official at the Ministry of Water and Power, the government was giving up to Rs5.45 per unit subsidy on an average, which is likely to be slashed by half under the new policy.