ISLAMABAD: In a key development during the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting, officials from the Energy Division signaled a possible review of the controversial system that charges consumers higher electricity bills for six months once they exceed 200 units of monthly consumption.
The session, chaired by PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar, highlighted the growing burden on consumers. Officials revealed that the number of households consuming up to 200 units has risen sharply from 11 million to 18 million.
They said a long-term solution is being considered to phase out the 200-unit subsidy system by 2027. However, raising the limit to 250 units would require additional subsidies.
PAC member Shazia Marri strongly criticized the government, saying, “I just visited my constituency where 16-hour-long load-shedding is still routine. If steps are being taken, why are conditions not improving?”
She also slammed the solar panel tax, noting, “People are shifting to solar, and yet the government imposed an 18% tax, which was reduced only after PPP’s protest.”
Marri further added that Pakistan has huge gas reserves and untapped Thar coal potential, but “a mafia doesn’t want these projects to move forward.”