The federal government is under a lot of pressure from the public and political groups to stop providing free electricity to government officials and agencies. In response, the Ministry of Energy is considering an emergency plan to end free electricity for all government and semi-government institutions, including bureaucrats, judges, and parliamentarians.
The plan also looks at a second phase where free petrol for these officials might be stopped as well. However, industries and businesses will continue to receive necessary facilities, and there is a proposal to lower Maximum Demand Indicator (MDI) charges for factories. Additionally, the plan includes reviewing the performance of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to ensure they are working effectively.
In contrast, on July 19, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced a plan to provide free electricity to users who consume up to 100 units. He also announced plans to supply solar power systems to households that are not connected to the grid.
During a meeting in Karachi, various proposals were discussed with key officials, including Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. He noted that around 80,000 households consuming 50 megawatts monthly and 1.9 million households consuming 100 megawatts monthly would benefit from the free electricity plan. In addition, the initial phase of the plan aims to provide solar home systems (SHS) to 500,000 of the 2.6 million off-grid households.
This initiative by the Sindh government aims to help low-income households with their energy needs and promote the use of renewable energy sources. The contrast between the federal and Sindh government’s plans highlights different approaches to managing energy resources and addressing public needs.
