Achi news desk-
City 42: The third and final round of the high-level meeting regarding the review of power sector reforms was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. In the meeting, major decisions were taken regarding the electricity transmission system and distribution companies (DISCOs).
Approval of amendments and restructuring of the electricity transmission system
At the meeting, the Prime Minister approved in principle the reform and reorganization of the electricity transmission system, especially the National Transmission and Dispatch Company. The Prime Minister of the UK has established a committee to complete the recommendations in this regard and ensure that reforms and restructuring are implemented.
A monitoring cell in the Prime Minister’s House for the implementation of reforms
The Prime Minister established a cell in the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure the implementation of reforms in the power sector, which will closely monitor the entire process. The Prime Minister said that he will preside over the review meeting on the implementation of reforms in the electricity sector every month.
Providing low power consumption fans to citizens
The First Minister also asked for a report on the plan to replace fans with high electricity consumption with low electricity consumption fans in his previous regime. The Prime Minister also called for a comprehensive plan to provide fans with low electricity consumption for low-income consumers.
A comprehensive plan to provide affordable electricity to the industrial sector
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that a comprehensive plan should also be introduced to provide electricity to the industrial sector at low rates.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that for industrial development and increasing exports, they will ensure electricity supply to the industries at a low cost.
He said that reforms are not possible without an effective punishment and penalty system in government departments.
Federal Ministers Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarr, Sardar Owais Khan Leghari, Dr. Mossadegh Malik, Abdul Aleem Khan, former Minister of Electricity Muhammad Ali, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Jahanzeb Khan, Bilal Members of the National Assembly Azhar Kayani was present in the meeting, Engineer Qamarul Islam, Coordinator Wazir-e-Ezn Rana Ehsan Afzal, Chairman FBR, Chairman Nepra and relevant senior officials participated.
The meeting was informed in detail about the problems of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company and its amendments were presented as well as various suggestions. Recommendations were also presented to the meeting regarding the situation, losses and their privatization and outsourcing of electricity distribution companies. The meeting was also informed about rationalization of tariff, electricity rates provided to industries and domestic consumers. Various proposals were presented to the meeting regarding the use of electricity instead of gas for purposes other than cooking. Appreciating the briefing paper, the Prime Minister issued instructions that the implementation of the approved reforms should be ensured within a certain period.
