ISLAMABAD: The federal government has indicated a possible increase of about Rs. 1.5 per unit in electricity prices due to the economic impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
At the same time, the government has announced around 2.25 hours of daily load-shedding across Pakistan. This step is part of a “peak relief strategy” to stop a bigger increase in electricity prices, which could have gone up to Rs. 5 to Rs. 6 per unit.
Officials said that expensive fuels like furnace oil are being used less to control costs. However, a small increase in prices may still happen.
According to the Power Division, electricity production in the country is stable and enough overall. But the main problem comes during peak hours, when demand increases sharply.
To manage this, the government will cut power supply for a short time each day during peak hours. This will help reduce the use of costly fuel and keep prices under control.
The plan is being monitored under the supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has directed officials to keep electricity prices as low as possible.
Officials also said that 80 MMCFD of local gas has been supplied to power plants, which helped reduce the need for more load-shedding and saved about Rs. 0.80 per unit.
Overall, the government says this strategy is meant to protect consumers from a bigger rise in electricity prices, even though a small increase may still occur.
