Wapda to raise power tariff on current oil price level
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Chairman Wapda Tariq Hameed has said Wapda will have to enhance power tariff if the current oil prices prevail.
He stated this in the meeting of NA standing committee on water and power held here Friday under chairman Ghulam Murtaza Mateela in parliament house. The matters related to Wapda came under discussion.
Chairman Wapda told the meeting that Wapda will have to raise the tariff within a few days if the current oil prices remain unchanged as it can not bear more financial burden.
He pointed out that IPPs purchase oil from Pakistan State Oil directly and on the other hand we purchase electricity from them at the cost of Rs 7 to 9 per unit. Electricity is supplied to the people on subsidized rates.
He went on to say that policy adopted in regard to IPPs has not been changed since the last three years.
Wapda transmission and distribution losses had been curtailed by 7 percent in the lost year, he indicated.
Responding to a question he said that the promotion cases of all Wapda employees are under consideration. Several employees have been promoted by MEPCO, Multan.
He made it clear that Wapda can not supply electricity to the villages comprising less than ten homes . Such consumers should get the connection charges refunded if they had made their payment as it would cause loss to Wapda..
Chairman NEPRA Saeed ul Zafar urged power sector reforms-1994 should be implemented. We can sort out our problems this way. NEPRA is reviewing the complaints lodged by the consumers. A host of foreign power companies want to make investment in power sector in Pakistan.
Chief Executive KESC voiced protest over what he described non cooperative attitude of government. “ Why are we being meted out step motherly treatment, he questioned. We want to be made part of power distribution companies, he demanded.