Premier Shahbaz seeks urgent report on inflated electricity bills

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, while taking strict notice of public complaints about inflated electricity bills, directed the authorities concerned to submit an urgent report and recommendations on the matter.

The premier, chairing an urgent meeting to discuss the complaints on the inflated bills, resolved not to sit idle until the public complaints are addressed.

“Khadim-e-Pakistan is answerable to his people for resolution of their grievances. I am committed to speaking truth to my people,” he added.

Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir, Special Assistant to PM Ahad Cheema and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

On Saturday, PM Shehbaz also suspended fixed sales tax collection through electricity bills and ordered the formulation of a new mechanism.

He also directed an inquiry over the levy of increased sales tax ratio to shopkeepers and retailers in the electricity bills other than the agreed one.

He issued these directives while chairing a meeting to review electricity rates and fixed sales tax collection through electricity bills.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz specially asked for the inclusion of representatives of traders in the consultation process, prior to taking any decision with regards to the collection of taxes from shopkeepers through the utility bills.

While resolving that the government would take all steps for the economic protection of the poor segments of society, the premier also directed the relevant authorities and ministries concerned to immediately devise an effective mechanism for slashing the power rates for the poor.