Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami has forewarned the masses, who are already irate over high electricity charges, of a significant hike in the per unit costs of electricity bills.
In answer to a question from Hamir Mir on his show Capital Talk on Monday, he stated: “The news on today’s media is that the interim setup has said that Rs90 would be the per unit charges in the electricity bills for September.”
“I ask the people to get ready to face the fear and get ready for September bills,” agreeing with the host that the costs would treble those of August. The JI leader supported his answer with the caretaker government’s words.
عوام ستمبر کے بلوں کے لیے بھی تیار ہو جائیں۔ ستمبر کے بل میں فی یونٹ 90 روپے کا ہو جائے گا۔ پی ڈی ایم حکومت کے 15 ماہ میں 500 ارب روپے کی بجلی چوری ہوئی۔
جب تک آئی پی پیز ہیں پاکستان میں کبھی بھی بجلی سستی نہیں ہو سکتی۔
جیو نیوز @geonews_urdu کے پروگرام “کیپیٹل ٹاک” میں… pic.twitter.com/9PDhGvXJcM— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) August 28, 2023
He continued by noting that the “biggest issue” was the lack of professionals in the control of distribution businesses (DISCOs). Ghani backed up his claim by claiming that PML-N leader Amir Muqam controlled Peshawar Electric Supply Company, which did not have the CEO listed in the records.
He lamented that despite his protests no one was hired in the power company. “They don’t have linemen and operational staff.”
Independent power producers (IPPs), according to Ghani, account for 50% of the energy mix, which brings up the second issue. He bemoaned the fact that, in spite of its abundance in natural resources, the country was getting close to IPPs, which included imported coal, RLNG, and furnace oil and were paid for in dollars.
“Until IPPs are present, never there will be cheap electricity in Pakistan,” he said.