Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has sought immediate implementation of subsidised electricity tariff for the country’s export industry; further expressing his displeasure over procedural delays on this front.
He issued these directives after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet had deferred its formal approval to an energy tariff agreement; finalised last week between representatives of the export industry and a ministerial committee.
Under the said understanding, the government had announced its decision to provide electricity at an all-inclusive rate of 7.5 cents per unit (Kwh) and gas at $6.5 per unit (million British thermal unit) to all zero-rated industries (including textiles) until June 30.
Further, the executive was expected to notify the immediate withdrawal of electricity bills issued to the export sector with backdated effect from January 2019; which had included a series of surcharges, quarterly adjustments and fuel price adjustments.
The agreement would also allow the private sector to commence with the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at about $5.5 per mmBtu as compared to $8-10 per mmBtu through the public sector.
