Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that provision of relief to the public and uninterrupted power supply to industries, through reforms in the power sector, were among the top priorities.
The prime minister chaired a review meeting on the ongoing power sector reforms.
The prime minister directed swift completion of the second and third phases of privatization of loss-making GENCOs and further instructed that the GENCOs' auction process should be broadcast live on the media, just like other privatization programmes, the PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The prime minister emphasised expediting the privatization of power distribution companies.
During the meeting the prime minister called for an early report after the installation of smart meters was completed. He said that the federal government had completed the solarization of tube wells in Balochistan, which would enhance the province's agricultural productivity.
The meeting received a detailed briefing on ongoing reforms and projects related to electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
It was informed that the first phase of the privatization of outdated and loss-incurring GENCOs was completed, generating revenue of Rs9.05 billion for the national exchequer.
The second and third phases were underway at a fast pace. To ensure transparency, the auction proceedings were being broadcast live.
The meeting was further informed that successful negotiations were held with 36 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) regarding electricity tariffs, resulting in projected savings of Rs. 3.69 trillion for the national treasury.
The prime minister also instructed that the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country be accelerated and directed that proposed projects to improve the power transmission and distribution system be initiated promptly.
NTDCL, the national transmission company, had been dissolved and replaced with the Energy Infrastructure Development Company and the National Grid Company, which were now being assigned their respective responsibilities, it was added.
The meeting was also briefed that the process of setting up EV charging stations nationwide is progressing rapidly.
An online portal was activated to receive applications for establishing charging stations, through which 120 applications were received.
Of these, 48 have been issued interim registration documents. The regularization process of existing charging stations has also been completed.
It was informed that the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) had been established to improve the power sector.
The boards of several power distribution companies were restructured and now fully functional.
The prime minister was briefed on the Matiari-Moro-Rahim Yar Khan and Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad transmission lines which had also attracted interest from the local and international financing institutions.
The meeting was also briefed on a roadmap for the complete elimination of Rs. 2.4 trillion circular debt over the next six years.
Moreover, the plans were being prepared to provide soft bank loans for energy-efficient fans to promote electricity savings, allowing middle-class consumers to reduce their bills.
A roadmap for the construction of energy-efficient buildings had also been finalized and consultation with provincial governments on its implementation was completed, the meeting was further apprised.
Agriculture sector
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on reaffirmed the government's commitment to revitalizing the agriculture sector by introducing sustainable reforms in the sector.
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