Former Interior Minister Gohar Ejaz Urges Supreme Court Action Against IPPs
Islamabad:Former Federal Interior Minister Gohar Ayub has announced that cases against Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are being pursued in the Supreme Court. He stated that 40 IPPs will face legal proceedings, praying for divine assistance in achieving justice. Ayub made these remarks on the social engagement website ‘X’, emphasizing the importance of fair investigation and transparency in dealings with IPPs.
In another post, he highlighted that private sector IPPs operate at an average capacity of 36%, yet charge tariffs equivalent to Rs. 26.87 per unit, suggesting these charges should ideally be around Rs. 8 per unit. He further detailed that this discrepancy results in annual overpayments of Rs. 700 billion. Ayub also called on Energy Minister Ovais Leghari to share IPPs’ data, asserting that transparency is crucial amid allegations of inflated charges.
Responding to Ayub’s concerns, Energy Minister Ovais Leghari reaffirmed that IPP contracts are backed by governmental guarantees and cannot be unilaterally revoked. He clarified that the government is auditing these contracts to ensure they serve public interest effectively.
The IPP issue, which affects industries and 24 crore citizens alike, remains a critical concern, as highlighted by former Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar during a recent Lahore event hosted by the Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industries. Kakar stressed the need for dialogue-driven solutions rather than point-scoring debates in addressing this complex issue in the Senate.
