NEPRA Under Scrutiny for Power Rates, Committee Urges Review of K-Electric Tariffs
News Desk
Islamabad: The 8th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power Division was held here on Thursday, chaired by Muhammad Idrees, MNA. The Committee confirmed the minutes of its previous meeting and reviewed the comprehensive report on the implementation status of earlier recommendations from the May 5, 2025 meeting, according to an official press release.
The Federal Minister for Power Division attended the session, where the Committee extensively inquired into prolonged load shedding in District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), caused by the closure of four feeders. The Ministry briefed that a meeting was held at PESCO Headquarters, Peshawar, on May 16, chaired by the PESCO CEO and attended by MNA Anwar Taj and MPA Khalid Khan.
Following the meeting, the PESCO CEO directed the Chief Engineer (Planning & Engineering) and SE (Operations), PESCO Peshawar Circle, to conduct a joint site survey of the affected area. Their recommendations and a proposed plan to integrate Ber Behram Dhery Khali into the PESCO distribution network are awaited.
The Committee was informed of a phased plan to address electricity issues, starting with 10 to 15 transformers nearest to Grid Stations. Recovery campaigns will be launched with support from the local MNA and representatives, where reconnections and meter installations will proceed after partial or full settlement of consumer arrears.
This phased approach will continue until restoration is complete. The CEO assured that once arrears are cleared and Recovery Certificates Ordered (RCOs) processed, necessary materials will be provided without delay.
A KP member expressed willingness to cooperate in registering FIRs against electricity theft and urged PESCO to collaborate closely with elected representatives to remove illegal “Kunda” connections, which cause line losses and exacerbate load shedding in the province.
The Power Minister advised Committee members to send letters detailing areas facing load shedding issues and directed the PESCO CEO to submit monthly reports to the Committee. The CEO was also instructed to maintain ongoing contact with members regarding load shedding matters.
The Minister highlighted that losses in Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) are increasing compared to other power distributors. However, an MNA from Hyderabad contested this, stating that HESCO’s losses are actually declining. The Minister further announced that future recruitments in SEPCO and HESCO will be conducted through IBA Sukkur.
The Ministry informed the Committee that Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have started recruitment for 2,207 critical posts, while permission for 20,458 additional posts across seven categories is still pending. Internship programs are ongoing, with DISCOs regularly hosting students from professional undergraduate and technical diploma programs nominated by their institutions.
The Committee then considered Starred Question No. 22, raised by Dr. Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto, MNA, regarding discrepancies in electricity rates between consumption of 200 and 201 units.
Dr. Bhutto highlighted that 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the existing tariff slabs disproportionately burden low-income consumers, especially those in Ex-FATA who reportedly avoid paying bills. She urged the Committee to consider revising the slab system to provide relief to poor consumers.
NEPRA representatives explained that tariffs are determined under the NEPRA Act and associated rules. The Minister stated there is no current proposal to revise the slab system but assured efforts are underway to reduce electricity prices. The Power Secretary added that a formal request will be sent to NEPRA to review K-Electric’s tariffs. After discussions, the Committee recommended settling the matter related to the Starred Question.
The Ministry also updated the Committee on the reconstitution of HESCO and SEPCO Boards to ensure compliance with the State-Owned Enterprises Act and policy, with relevant summaries submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office in August and September 2024.
At the meeting’s conclusion, the CEO of Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) delivered a detailed briefing on MEPCO’s performance and functions.
The meeting was attended by members including Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Raja Qamar Ul Islam, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmed Abbas, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan, Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar, Khurshid Ahmed Junejo, Nauman Islam Shaikh, Syed Waseem Hussain, Junaid Akbar, Haji Imtiaz Ahmed Choudhry, Sanjay Perwani, and Dr. Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto.
