Pakistan
Awais Laghari announces to introduces prepaid electricity meters
Energy minister says electricity theft intolerable, pending issues in the power sector would be addressed
Multan: Federal Minister of Energy Awais Leghari, on Monday, declared electricity theft intolerable and announced that the government is planning to implement prepaid meters for electricity billing.
Speaking to the media in Multan, Leghari emphasized the need for a prepaid system, similar to mobile phone billing, to combat electricity theft. He assured that all pending issues in the power sector would be addressed, highlighting the numerous flaws within the current system.
The minister also mentioned ongoing negotiations between the government and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) aimed at providing relief worth Rs45 billion, as previously announced by PML-N president Nawaz Sharif. He hinted at a significant drop in electricity prices expected next year.
Leghari further noted that the depreciation of the rupee had doubled capacity payments and announced his plans to visit power companies in Balochistan and Sindh next week.