Pakistan Stops Free Electricity for Government Staff Due to High Bills
Pakistan has decided to end the practice of providing free electricity to its government employees. This decision comes after many people protested against extremely high electricity bills.
Following widespread anger over steep utility bills, the government has taken action. They’ve decided that government employees above Grade 17 will no longer get free electricity.
Instead of free electricity, these employees will now receive allowances from the government. This change aims to find a fair solution that also considers the government’s financial situation. The government is planning to discuss this approach with the cabinet.
Officials clarified that the decision on electricity prices is not made by the government itself. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is responsible for setting tariffs. These tariffs depend on factors like fuel costs, exchange rates, and loan interest rates.
The increase in electricity rates is linked to higher Karachi Interbank Offered Rate (KIBOR) rates. The tariff was originally set at Rs 195 per dollar, but due to the rise in the dollar’s value, it reached Rs 284.
In summary, Pakistan has decided to stop giving free electricity to government employees above Grade 17 due to the uproar over costly electricity bills. The government hopes that providing allowances instead will help strike a balance while also considering the factors affecting electricity prices.