Interim PM calls emergency meeting after inflated electricity bills trigger country-wide protests
Interim Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar called for an emergency meeting tomorrow Aug 27, to discuss the issue of rising electricity bills.
The inflated electricity bills triggered country-wide protests, in cities including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala, and Peshawar.
Protests were also held in other cities, including Narowal, Attock, Sargodha, and Haripur, against high electricity bills.
Caretaker Prime Minister in a post on X – the social media platform formally known as Twitter – taking notice of the matter said that he has convened an emergency meeting at the PM Office on Saturday.
“The Power Division and the distribution companies would brief the meeting followed by a detailed discussion on how to give relief to the consumers in their bills,” he added.
بجلی کے بھاری بِلوں کے معاملے پر میں نے کل وزیر اعظم ہاؤس میں ہنگامی اجلاس طلب کر لیا ہے۔ اجلاس میں وزارت بجلی اور تقسیم کار کمپنیوں سے بریفنگ لی جائے گی اور صارفین کو بجلی کے بِلوں کے حوالے سے زیادہ سے زیادہ ریلیف دینے کے حوالے سے مشاورت کی جائے گی۔
— Anwaar ul Haq Kakar (@anwaar_kakar) August 26, 2023
The national average tariff was raised by the power regulator around Rs5 per unit, pushing the base unit power tariff from Rs24.82 to Rs29.78.
Meanwhile, on August 22, the government once again sought to raise the power rate by Rs3.55 per unit.
The inflated power bills have triggered country-wide protests, and Saturday marked the second day of protests in many cities.
People from all walks of life took to the streets in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Toba Tek Singh, and other areas against exorbitant electricity bills.
In Sargodha, traders protested against the high electricity bills by burning bills declaring non-payment of exorbitant power bills.
In Rawalpindi, a large number of people protested at Liaquat Bagh against the high electricity bills. They held banners and placards while chanting slogans against the local electricity provider.
https://twitter.com/Aadii_1727/status/1695292185758081531
"میرا بجلی کا بل 12000 بھیج دیا میں گول گپے بیچنے والا شخص ہوں کہاں سے دوں گا"
مظلوم شہری افسران کے سامنے پھٹ پڑا۔#CivilDisobedience in #Pakistan#ElectricityBills #inflation pic.twitter.com/GkhNNdabxr
— Haider Ali (@Haider4PTI) August 25, 2023
بھاری بلوں پر عوام کا احتجاج جاری "کوئی بھی بجلی کے بل جمع نہیں کروائے گا" وزیر آباد کے علاقے دھونکل کی مسجد میں اعلان#ElectricityBills pic.twitter.com/PN1yepIJG7
— Siasat.pk (@siasatpk) August 26, 2023
