Consumers Demand Immediate Reduction of Rs. 25 per Unit in IPPs Power Tariff

Karachi: The Consumers Association of Pakistan’s representative organization, Keep, has presented a 15-point charter of demands to the government for relief for consumers, demanding an immediate Rs. 25 per unit reduction in the power tariff of Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Kokab Iqbal, head of the Consumer Association of Pakistan, highlighted in the charter that contracts with IPPs should be reviewed in light of national security to protect consumers from additional financial burdens. He emphasized that rising electricity bills due to unjustified increases are causing distress among the public.
The charter also urges the State Bank to instruct all banks to provide interest-free loans to the public for the purchase of solar panels, enabling consumers to access electricity from renewable sources at lower costs. Additionally, it calls for significant cuts in allowances and lavish expenditures for officials across all sectors to set an example of financial prudence amidst economic challenges.
The demands further propose shifting the burden of direct taxes away from low-income and salary classes towards wealth taxes, eliminating taxes on essential items like dairy products, and controlling prices of essential commodities such as pulses, flour, and rice to prevent further inflation.
In their efforts to alleviate the financial strain on consumers, the charter underscores the necessity of immediate action to implement these measures effectively across the board.