PM Shehbaz announces relief for 17 million power consumers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that 17 million of the nation’s electricity consumers would not be required to pay the excessive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) charges that are included in their monthly bills.

According to Express, the prime minister outlined the rationale behind the FCA and claimed that it had resulted in a substantial increase in power rates for July and August due to high international oil prices.

He claimed that following discussions with the IMF, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, and other coalition leaders, it was decided that 17.1 million energy users would not be required to pay the FCA.

The remaining 13 million power consumers who are in a better financial situation are also being reviewed by the government, according to PM Shehbaz.

Later, the PML-N tweeted that the relaxation will only apply to people with low electricity consumption.

Shehbaz stated that Power Minister Khurram Dastgir will give a thorough explanation of the announcement’s process and how it would actually operate.

The FCA exception would also apply to tube well users, who the prime minister estimated to number approximately 300,000.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz also abolished the budget’s fixed tax on traders.