Launches ‘Power Smart App’ to curb overbilling & empower electricity consumers
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the government would not discourage the solarization boom in the country, as he welcomed the ongoing process, which is regarded as the most inexpensive way of producing electricity in the world.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘Apna meter; Apni reading’, a power smart mobile application, developed by the Ministry of Energy Power Division, the prime minister said that Pakistan was among the few countries where solarization process was rapidly taking place.
Referring to vital reforms in the power sector, the prime minister termed the launch of the mobile app as a revolutionary reform step that would benefit the consumers.
Its introduction in five languages would improve the provincial coordination and harmony among the provinces, he added.
The ceremony was attended by ministers, parliamentarians and relevant authorities.
The prime minister said a series of reforms were being initiated in the relevant ministry for the last one year and spearheaded by the minister and his team who had been working hard and delivering substantial results.
In the past, he said they had taken different vital decisions and stressed upon more to provide maximum relief to the consumers.
Throughout Pakistan, the prime minister said, vital reforms were introduced in the DISCOs boards where merit based appointments were made.
Effective steps were also taken against corrupt mafia, he said, adding for reduction in power prices, a task force and the minister concerned had really worked hard.
The prime minister, in his address telecast on national TV channels, referred to negotiations held with the Pakistani IPPs to bring down power tariff terming it ‘hard negotiations and a difficult phase’. Thus price of per unit was reduced to Rs7.41 for the households.
While they also held negotiations with the banks to settle down the circular debt issue which was a big achievement, he added.
The prime minister said that when the prices of petroleum prices at the international market were sliding down, they took its advantage and provided relief to the power consumers in the fortnightly petroleum products price adjustments.
Moreover, collective decision was taken to address the rebasing issues and by capping the per unit price under the same rate.
The prime minister also announced to end PTV fee charged from the power consumers in their monthly bills.
