Power subsidy being increased in Ramazan

E-Paper | October 02, 2026

Power subsidy being increased in Ramazan

Khaleeq Kiani Published June 30, 2014

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ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to increase by 60 per cent the subsidy provided to the power sector in July to ensure minimum loadshedding during Sehr, Iftar and Taraveeh times.

The Ministry of Water and Power said on Sunday the government would provide an additional Rs14 billion to power companies during Ramazan to minimise the difficulties faced by the people.

The power sector usually receives Rs22-24bn in subsidies every month, an amount which is expected to rise to about Rs35bn next month.

The ministry had also requested 114 million cubic feet per day of natural gas supply for diesel-based power plants to ensure that power generation costs did not exceed limits.

Also read: Extended blackouts during Ramazan feared

These plants would be brought online only if gas is available. The ministry said a monitoring unit had been established under Power Secretary Nargis Sethi and the chief executives of major distribution companies who would be on hand at the ministry from 2am to monitor uninterrupted power supply during Sehr and then again, through video link, at Iftar time until the end of Taraveeh prayers.

All distribution companies and the ministry have installed dedicated landlines and mobile numbers at their control centres so that any fault occurring can be rectified on a fast-track basis.

At the distribution level, down the line duties of staff have been assigned, the necessary equipment and their replacement parts have been arranged so that prompt action could be taken in case of technical faults.

Also read: No loadshedding at Sehri, Iftar: KE

The ministry said there were some transmission constraints due to which there might be a gap in the demand and supply. The ministry is trying to reduce loadshedding during Ramazan and has requested consumers to conserve electricity so that all people could enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

Apart from the six hours around Sehr, Iftar and Taraveeh prayers, urban areas will experience loadshedding of up to five hours while rural areas will see blackouts for seven hours during the day.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2014

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Pakistan

Khaleeq Kiani is an Islamabad-based reporter for Dawn, specializing in political economy, governance, business, finance, macroeconomics and energy. He can be found on X at @khaleeqkiani.

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Mr. K

Jun 30, 2014 07:39am

It is a good thing in this day and age to have electricity when coming home after a tiring day at work, while fasting. #sarcasm

Recommend 0

think_then_speak

Jun 30, 2014 08:38am

While government is taking back subsidies offered to the poor, the rich are made more rich through increase in subsidy. Well done Sharifs, eliminate the poverty by supporting the rich.

Recommend 0

hbm

Jun 30, 2014 08:57am

I hate it when Govt claims they are giving us subsidy. Making us feel like we need their hand outs and are beggars. The reality is my bill will charge say Rs 15/unit. Then it will add on at least 5 other taxes and arbitrary surcharges so that actual average per unit is Rs 25 and over. Doesn't matter how they do the break up, I pay over 25/unit. Now Govt claims their cost is say 20, and they have given me a subsidy of Rs 5 because unit is graciously given to me at Rs 15. It is insulting and fraudulent. And the only reason the cost is Rs 20 because they include the thefts by other consumers and the corruption costs of the govt itsel (in fuel etc). So I need subsidy not for cost of electricity I consume but to cover their inefficiency and crimes. But sure, put all the favour on me. Pakistan is the country where the person abiding the law suffers silently in humiliation and those breaking it enjoy themselves. We may be silent but we are not stupid.

Recommend 0

Rashid Ishaq

Jun 30, 2014 12:16pm

there is no doubt that load shedding is much better than the previous govt

Recommend 0

Mr. K

Jun 30, 2014 12:41pm

@hbm Sorry to say, but if you know something bad is happening and you do not act, you are not better than those committing the crime. As the saying goes 'They came for them, i watched silently. They came for us, everyone watched silently.'

Recommend 0

AJamal

Jul 01, 2014 02:33am

The talk of relief to people is foolish since electricity rates have already increased by 90% in last one year. Secondly any subsidy will be recovered from people through inflation.

Recommend 0

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