Islamabad: On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif exempted lifeline (up to 100 units) and protected category (101-200 units per month) subscribers from the recent hefty power tariff rise to help the underprivileged.
The federal cabinet approved a significant hike in electricity cost from Rs4.96 to Rs7.50 per unit on July 22.
To boost revenue for loss-making power distribution companies (Discos) this fiscal year, the regulator raised the price last week.
After a public hearing, the Nepra will announce the rise on July 1.
Moreover, At the signing of a framework agreement between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) Trading and Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL). PM Shehbaz remarked, “The 63% of domestic consumers using up to 200 units per month will be exempted from the recent increase in power tariff.”
While, He said that 31% of domestic consumers—those consuming up to 300 units each month—received a partial subsidy.
Due to the hardest conditions from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government had to hike electricity costs but I emphasised that the burden should not be passed on to the protected parts of society’, the premier stated.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan
The premier said it a great day because ‘ standing here as brothers from two brotherly countries — Pakistan and Azerbaijan’ as SOCAR Trading offered to supply one cargo per month of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Pakistan on flexible terms and with a credit line for 30 days after delivery in a one-year contract that can extended.
He congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for finalising the accord and wished him well.
“We had an extremely productive and very fruitful discussion over there as to how to promote economic relations”. He added that Pakistan granted the Azerbaijan Airline permission to land in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi immediately after his return.
“This is a big step to promote tourism, investment, and delegation exchange between the two countries.”
Azerbaijan’s envoy said the framework agreement will improve commercial ties.
Since diplomatic relations began, he noted, the two countries have cooperated.
The envoy said granting Azerbaijan Airlines airspace would encourage tourism and business delegations between the two countries.
