Govt's programme for reducing loadshedding most comprehensive in Pakistan's history: Nawaz

PM enquires about progress on issue of over-billing of electricity during Cabinet meeting

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while chairing a cabinet meeting on Thursday, said the current programme for the reduction of loadshedding in electricity is “the most comprehensive plan in the history of Pakistan.”

The premier spoke about various methods by which the economy of the country can improve, with his main focus on boosting exports.

“We want to double our exports, in fact we want to increase them four-fold… eight-fold, and this is doable,” Nawaz said.

He told the ministers seated in front of him that if there is to be improvement in the country’s Balance of Payments, reserves, economy, agriculture, and if there are ways to eliminate or reduce unemployment and poverty, then the only way to do this would be to increase exports.

The prime minister congratulated Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on his work, and told him he can “drive the whole government”.

Further, he asked his ministers to prioritise what reforms they want to take up immediately and which ones can be taken up after six months.

Over-billing: Steps being taken to provide consumer relief, Cabinet told

The Ministry of Water and Power assured the Cabinet on Thursday that steps were being taken by distribution companies (DISCOs) regarding the issue of over-billing of electricity.


A Cabinet meeting over the issue was under way in Islamabad, during which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif enquired about the subsequent progress on consumer relief.

The water and power minister further said that they would also make additional efforts to address complaints through an effective system at the DISCO-level.

Inflated electricity bills had triggered protests in several towns and cities, forcing the premier to order an audit of the issue.

The audit was carried out to establish whether the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) or another company was involved in over-billing. The increase in tariff was implemented in October 2013 and people began protesting in the summer of 2014.

Hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters had staged a demonstration against the electricity over-billing issue outside the Lahore Press Club last month.