Awais Leghari Says 70% Power Discount for Large Consumer Group Is Not Sustainable

Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari has said that it is not possible for the state to provide a 70 percent electricity price discount to such a large segment of consumers. He explained that the number of users consuming less than 200 electricity units has increased sharply, rising from 9 million to more than 21 million.

Awais Leghari stated that many affluent consumers have installed solar systems, allowing them to fall into the category of users consuming under 200 units. He said extending heavy subsidies to such a large group is beyond the financial capacity of the state.

The energy minister further said that in the recent relief package for the industrial sector, the Prime Minister announced the elimination of cross-subsidy. He added that this move aims to make electricity pricing more transparent and sustainable.

Awais Leghari also clarified that Pakistan’s industrial electricity tariff has now come closer to that of other countries in the region. He rejected claims that electricity in Bangladesh costs only 6 to 7 cents per unit, calling such figures incorrect.