PM Directs Power Division to Propose Reforms to Rationalize Electricity Wheeling Charges

PM important instructions to the Minister of Energy / Photo File (Hum News)

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Power Division to present recommendations, in consultation with stakeholders, to bring electricity wheeling charges to a reasonable and competitive level as part of broader energy sector reforms aimed at boosting economic growth.

The directive was issued during a meeting of the private-sector working group on energy, convened under the prime minister’s chairmanship. The forum was established to formulate reform proposals to support national economic development through improvements in the energy sector.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, and senior government officials.

Briefing the meeting, officials presented recommendations focused on energy sector reforms to drive economic growth. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that once recommendations from various sectoral working groups are finalized, a comprehensive national program for economic development will be formulated.

The prime minister emphasized that improving the electricity transmission system remains a top government priority. He stressed that the government is making strong efforts to ensure that industries receive electricity at regionally competitive rates to enhance productivity and exports.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also commended the energy committee formed for private-sector consultations under the leadership of Shehzad Saleem, praising its efforts and contributions toward policy formulation.

The meeting discussed proposals related to tariff structures, challenges in power transmission, affordable pricing mechanisms, and other issues facing the electricity sector. Recommendations were also presented to improve the reliability of the transmission and voltage systems to ensure a stable power supply nationwide.