November 5, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 9, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Tuesday the decision to reduce electricity rates would be taken after the task force set up to rationalize power tariff presents its report to the cabinet by Nov 30.

He was replying to a resolution of MQM member Kunwar Khalid Yunus tabled in the National Assembly regarding introducing uniform electricity billing throughout the country.

The task force, comprising Wapda and Nepra representatives, a technocrat and a member of parliament, was set up on the directives of Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali to review short and long-term tariff solutions by reducing the domestic, commercial and industrial electricity rates.

He was confident that the electricity tariff would be reduced during the next five years after government obligation towards the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) would end. Last year, the government had to pay a huge sum of Rs120 billion to the IPPs.

He assured that by the end of the year 2007, the ratio of hydel power generation, which at present was at 30 per cent would be increased as the government was following a policy of commissioning more and more hydel power stations.

Mr Sherpao explained that only 3 per cent of the country’s total power production was generated through nuclear technology. Total power production was 17,954 megawatt, out of which 12,375 MW came through thermal generation while the rest through the hydel route.

The electricity generation in the country was enough to meet the requirement, he explained but there was lot of strain on the system, which was obsolete and overburdened.

But investment was being made to reduce line losses since one per cent of reduction in the line loss saves about Rs2 billion to Wapda.

About Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC), he said about Rs13 billion have been allocated for a four year system upgradation and improvement of the corporation. And out of the amount Rs3.76 billion was earmarked to reduce line losses and pilferage.

He said his ministry was working to introduce electricity fines across the board.

He also assured to look into installing 500,000 electricity meters in Karachi to increase revenue.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Asjad Ali Malhi also informed that after the explorations especially in Zamzama, KESC would be provided gas to help reduce the electricity rates.

Earlier, Railways Minister Ghous Baksh Mahar told the National Assembly that a comprehensive inquiry report into Malakwal train accident has been presented to the Cabinet.

He was responding to an adjournment motion of Chaudhry Anwar Ali Cheema.

He also announced that work on the overhead bridge on railway crossing at New Pind City, District Sukkur, would soon begin.