Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry condemns postponement of hearing for reduction on power tariff by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority

Karachi, February 03, 2015 (PPI-OT): The President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Mian Muhammad Idrees expressed his concern over ignoring the government policy by NEPRA for delaying in passing on the complete relief to the consumers of electricity distribution companies and consequently to the masses.

The FPCCI have send a letter to Chairman, NEPRA mentioning that the business community is disappointed on postponement of scheduled hearing of NEPRA that had to decide on a cut of Rs3.20 per unit in power tariff due to reduction in oil prices and cheaper cost of power generation in the country in pursuance of the government’s directives to Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA).

Mian Idrees further said that due to reduction in the oil prices in the international market the government has enough fiscal space for the relief of Rs. 20 billion to the masses on account of power tariff. This will ultimately reduce the cost of industrial production and make our goods compatible for boosting our exports. It will also lead to increase in investment and employment.

He said that the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Federal Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar time and again have announced to pass on the benefit of reduction in oil prices to the masses in general and trade and industry in particularly through reduction in prices of essential items of daily consumption including power tariff.

They have also issued necessary directions to the concerned authorities for this purpose. He further said that it is surprising that on the pressure of some agencies like Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Water and Power, NEPRA has postponed the hearing indefinitely which shows denying / delaying in passing the complete relief to the consumers of electricity which is against the government’s policy.

Mian Idrees urged the NEPRA for the earliest hearing of the petition filed by CPPA so that the frustration, confusion and uncertainty amongst the consumers can be removed and masses should get some relief in power tariff.

For more information, contact:
M. A. Lodhi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +92-21-35874332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk