K-P to establish power transmission line costing Rs8 billion

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has announced its decision to establish its own power transmission line at a cost of Rs8 billion.

In a statement, the province's information adviser, Barrister Saif, highlighted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, K-P has taken the lead over other provinces, Express News reported.

The initiative is aimed at igniting an industrial revolution within the province.

K-P will become the first province to develop its own transmission line, having formalised an agreement with a private company. The revolutionary project is expected to be completed in one and a half years.

Barrister Saif stated that the transmission line will provide industries with highly affordable electricity.

The first phase will see the installation of a 40-kilometre transmission line from Matiltan to Madyan in Swat. This initial phase is anticipated to generate annual revenue of Rs7 billion for the province.

The provincial adviser added that the electricity generated in Swat will supply local industries and the national grid station. Completion of the project is expected to revolutionise the energy and industrial sectors in the province.

However, in August, governments of Sindh and K-P have declined to provide immediate relief on electricity bills to the public.

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Finance Advisor Muzzammil Aslam stated that their respective provincial administrations would not be able to offer instant relief on electricity charges.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Wahab, who also serves as the Mayor of Karachi, revealed that offering two months of relief to the people of Sindh would cost Rs10 billion.

Similarly, a two-month relief package in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would cost Rs8 billion, while in Balochistan, it would amount to Rs1 billion.

Muzzammil Aslam, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Finance Advisor, highlighted that both K-P and Sindh generate low-cost electricity, whereas Punjab produces more expensive power.

He cautioned that even though the Punjab government had provided a two-month relief, electricity prices would rise again afterwards.

Both advisors called on the federal government to implement a permanent solution rather than offering temporary relief.