LAHORE, Oct 23: The Pakistan Workers Federation has urged the government to restore 16 per cent general sales tax (GST) subsidy for all categories of consumers and charge old tariff from domestic consumers using up to 600 units of electricity to prevent violent attacks on the offices of power distribution companies.

Speaking at a press conference at the Bakhtiar Labour Hall here on Thursday, Federation Secretary-General Khurshid Ahmad said Wapda employees were feeling insecure because of attacks on their offices by angry consumers protesting against the unprecedented loadshedding and increase in power tariff. Electricity bills had increased to the extent that most of consumers could not pay these without starving their families.

He said the government should provide immediate relief to consumers by withdrawing 16 per cent GST and restoring the old tariff for domestic consumers using up to 600 units. The government should also provide resources to Wapda to build hydropower projects.

He claimed that hydropower cost half the price Wapda was being forced to pay to private thermal power producers under the World Bank’s pressure. He stressed the need for reviewing the decision to bifurcate water and power wings of Wapda and ensure recovery of Rsl,120 billion arrears from the KESC, Fata and government departments to resolve Wapda’s financial crisis.

Ahmad stressed the need for ensuring conservation of energy by getting air-conditioners switched off not only in President’s House, but also in houses throughout the country. He said closure of commercial organisations should be ensured during the peak hours.