PM orders adjustment of FAC relief in electricity bills within 24hrs

Electricity bill of around 16.6m people needs to be corrected under the fuel adjustment charges announced by the govt

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the power distribution companies to revise the electricity bills of up to 200 units within 24 hours, adjusting the relief under the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) announced by the government.

The premier chaired a high-level meeting to address the issues faced by the power consumers and constituted a committee on the issue.

“The staffers of the distribution companies should work round the clock to ensure the revision of electricity bills,” he said.

PM Shehbaz instructed the concerned authorities to cancel the leaves of all the staffers and present him a compliance report immediately and also ensure the execution of the relief measures announced by the government.

“The banks should also be directed to remain open in the coming days to enable the consumers to pay their revised electricity bills,” he added.

The meeting was told that the implementation of the relief package announced by the PM should be ensured. The electricity bills of around 16.6m are being corrected to provide them relief under the fuel price adjustment.

Read: Electricity tariff hike triggers protests in provincial capital

Speaking about inflated electricity bills, PM Shehbaz earlier said fuel adjustment charges – linked to international fuel prices – witnessed an exorbitant rise due to which additional charges were imposed on the electricity bills.

“I took notice of this [inflated electricity bills] and on the instructions of [PML-N supremo] Mian Nawaz Sharif… we have decided to waive additional charges from the electricity bills of 17 million consumers out of a total 30 million,” the premier said.

He also directed an inquiry over the levy of increased sales tax ratio to shopkeepers and retailers in the electricity bills other than the agreed one.