All records of electricity price hikes were broken in the coalition government of PML-N, PPP and MQM. Including the permanent surcharge, the increase in the electricity tariff per unit in just two and a half years amounted to Rs 25.76. Details of the increase in electricity prices under Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister have come to light. In the two and a half years of Shehbaz Sharif’s rule, the basic electricity tariff increased by a historic amount of Rs 22.53 per unit, while a permanent surcharge of Rs 3.23 per unit was imposed separately on electricity consumers. Thus, including the permanent surcharge, the increase in the electricity tariff per unit in two and a half years amounted to Rs 25.76. In the history of Pakistan, electricity tariffs have not increased so much under any prime minister. An additional burden of more than Rs 2,000 billion was imposed on electricity consumers in two and a half years. From July to October 2022, the basic electricity tariff per unit was increased by Rs 7.91.
In July 2023, the basic tariff per unit of electricity was increased by Rs 7.50. A permanent surcharge of Rs 3.23 per unit was also imposed in July 2023. In July 2024, electricity was increased by Rs 7.12 per unit under the basic tariff, while with the approval of the cabinet, the basic tariff of electricity was increased and a surcharge was imposed. Consumers bore the burden of the increase in quarterly and monthly adjustments separately. After the historic increase in electricity tariffs, the government is keen to reduce tariffs. The Shahbaz government is now working on various options to reduce electricity tariffs. The government proposes to give the benefit of termination or change of contracts with IPPs in the tariff. Taxes collected through electricity bills are also being reviewed.
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