National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Syed Khursheed Shah Wednesday urged the government to decrease the prices of electricity and pass the benefit of oil price reduction in the international market to the local consumers.
Speaking on a Point of Order in the NA, Shah said that 38 percent of the electricity produced in the country was from oil and oil prices have registered a significant decrease in the last few months.
“The people should be given relief accordinly,” said Shah adding that in the last few years, the price of electricity has increased by 35 percent.
“Electricity prices are higher in Pakistan as compared to the neighbouring countries. Load shedding is on the rise in the country since 2013. Hydel power is being produced at Rs 7 per unit while consumers are charged Rs 22 to Rs 23 per unit,” lamented Shah.
He said profitable organisations especially Oil and Gas Development Authority (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) must not be privatised.
“Selling the shares of OGDCL and PPl will harm the country,” he said.
Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) has already been closed for the first time in last 30 years, he said, adding that 25,000 to 30,000 families would be affected by mill’s closure.
He reiterated that the treasury and opposition should devise a joint policy for putting the country on the road to progress and prosperity and the government should review its policy of privatisation and decrease prices of electricity.
People’s thoughts can only influenced by introducing people friendly policies and not by protest sit-ins.