- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Govt buying electricity at Rs25 selling at Rs9 per unit: Kaira
Says in this situation demonstrations and protests by people are legitimate.
Says in this situation demonstrations and protests by people are legitimate.
LALAMUSA:
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government was buying electricity at Rs25 per unit from power producers but providing to the public at Rs9 per unit.
Addressing people after opening a shopping mall, he said the government was aware of problems of the people of Pakistan after the rising shortfall of electricity.
“We know that load shedding has made lives of people difficult. Unemployment is on the rise and there is shortage of drinking water but unfortunately water level has receded in dams and electricity is not being generated as required.”
He said in the situation demonstrations and protests by people are legitimate. He dispelled rumours that China was ready to provide electricity to Pakistan at Rs500 for a house and said it would require at least five years to set up poles between the two countries.
Kaira said all resources were being utilised to end load shedding, adding that the PPP-led government allocated Rs422 billion in the 2012-13 budget to provide subsidy on electricity while in the previous fiscal year this amount was Rs50 billion. He said work on several energy projects including Bhasha Dam, Thar coal, Neelam, Kohala and Solar energy was in progress and the duration of load shedding would be reduced soon.
He said the country was also facing the consequences of blocking Nato supplies. “If we clash with the superpower, the nation will have to face its fallout,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2012.
Read more:
powercrisis
Reader Comments (16)
Pakistan Latest Stories
Protest: APCA demands 50 per cent salary raise
The rally after passing through the main bazaar ended at the Katchery Chowk peacefully.
Talks, not force: PTI announces APC to strategise for Taliban dialogue
K-P information minister says meeting will discuss ways to begin talks; demands will be conveyed to federal govt.
Please shift to the CM House!
When Mr Khattak or Mr Sherpao are coming out of their homes, the road and all squares adjoining the area are blocked.
Dispute between PIA, labour union delays flight at Karachi airport
PIA spokesperson said negotiations had been completed successfully, but did not share details.
Champions Trophy: England reach final after another South Africa collapse
England scored 179 for three to knock off the required runs in 37.3 overs and win by seven wickets
Peshawar blast injures two civilians, one policeman
Initial reports suggest the explosion was caused by a hand grenade.
From Milan to Lahore, Rano Usman’s craft speaks for itself
Owner of Rano’s Heirlooms believes she is a craftsman and not a designer.
Railways Ministry: 238 legal advisers shown the door
Railway Minister says hiring of the legal advisers was done on political grounds.
Newly elected Balochistan cabinet sworn in
Earlier, the government had not named the cabinet and in absence of a finance minister, CM was to present the budget.
PM meets army chief to discuss new security policy
Counter-terrorism strategy, Afghanistan's political situation and border security amongst things discussed.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Blast near IT university in Quetta kills 5, injures 69
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
“the government was buying electricity at Rs25 per unit from power producers but providing to the public at Rs9 per unit.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And then failing to collect that Rs 9 also!
Recommend
He dispelled rumours that China was ready to provide electricity to Pakistan at Rs500 for a house
You first build up unrealistic expectations from anyone who tries to help you and then start cursing them and burning their flags when the rumours do not materialize
Recommend
please make this clearer to everyone on all forums that if you clash with a super power, this is what happens….we must accept the fact that we are in no position to fight with anyone….we have no resources, no funds no talent etc….only when we accept and start building on that by being a peace loving country and a tolerant one where religion is a private matter not a state one, only then will we start improving. Look at Bangladesh and Sri Lanka who have surpassed us…
Recommend
Mr Kaira … Clashing with superpower resulted in power outages?
Recommend
“the government was buying electricity at Rs25 per unit from power producers”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And in that figure of Rs 25 per unit lies a fascinating story of corruption, incompetence and mismanagement.
Recommend
Where were you and advisers when financial feasibilities were being presented. Mouth was watering when commissions were being offered for accepting the IPP projects. How much is enough to live a life for people like you and the ruling class? I think hydel project will be initiated when IPP’s will get dried up after paying commission after commission.
Recommend
Hi,
I dont understand one thing…if so much amount is allocated on this track…then why govt. is using renewable energy resources… as we know that we are living in a continent where the avg. of sun visibility of 80% and in third quarter of the calendar when we face more energy crisis… in this quarter why we not use solar energy in this time…and where there is a huge amount of coal is discovered at Reko-Dik why we not accelerate that project…instead of given huge money to the IPPs…all these are lame excuses from the govt…they have completed their full 5 year tenure and did nothing…instead of changing the ministers…so it is humble requested to the govt…whose motto is to deliver the best of life to the poor…it should work on that…
Recommend
Why? for heavens sakes? Where was your Planning Commission? Didn’t they see it coming? Didn’t they realize the price factor in buying electricity from RPPs? And, even if you sell it at lower costs, who is paying in the end? us. Either way, you guys are to be blamed for all of this.Recommend
clash with superpowers will take pakistan to its death bed. amen.Recommend
“We know that load shedding has made lives of people difficult.”
Mr. Kaira this load shedding has not made lives of people difficult, but HELL.
Try to live only one hour without Electricity and Generator in this blazing Sun then you will come to know the HEAT that people are taking 18 hours a day.
Recommend
another lie another topi drama!
Recommend
Where is that electricity which you are buying and giving to public ? Public isnt getting any
Recommend
Mr Kaira must have lost his mind to think we believe the sheer absurdity of his words. All he’s doing is covering up the simple fact that the government hasn’t paid any IPPs, initiated any long term energy projects nor have they even reached mutual consensus with neighboring countries about power sharing. It is a pathetic state of affairs and alongside suffering prolonged sleep depriving load-shedding in the summer we now have to endure lies from this ‘de-mock-racy’.
Recommend
But the fact remains that it is still the public that is buying electricity at Rs. 25 and ALSO buying at Rs. 9. Where did the PPP govt get the funds for buying electricity? Fro Swiss accounts? No. It is plain and simple, this government is so “na-ahel” that they think that this statement would put give them sympathy.
The plain truth is that their buying electricity at Rs. 25 is also hurting the tax payers and general public who either pay through taxes or through inflation when the government borrows money to make payment.
Why does the media not catch on? I think the media, too, is “na-ahel”.
Regards,
Recommend
Kaira, this is your PPP that signed up to hugely expensive IPP agreements during your deceased leaders reign. I hope you realize that.
Recommend
All those units which are expensive than normal should be shut down, including the ships at Karachi port, Karachi people are cheated by tricking them with so little power and so much cost. Shut down all units like this and safe money. give cash to Karachi people rather than this little supply of power.
Recommend