Pakistan’s parliamentarians pressed the power regulator to tighten oversight of electricity distributors after rampant outages, arbitrary billing and poor service left consumers bearing the brunt of a sector already mired in circular debt of more than Rs1.6 trillion.
The Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by lawmaker Malik Ibrar Ahmad, told the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to act more aggressively in enforcing service standards and monitoring distribution companies. Lawmakers said utilities routinely ignore consumer complaints, impose charges outside billing cycles and fail to restore supply during floods and storms.
The committee demanded that NEPRA penalize underperforming distributors and ensure adherence to regulatory rules, including fair billing practices. It also directed the regulator to oversee restoration of infrastructure damaged by recent floods and rains.
NEPRA officials told the panel that circular debt had surged to Rs1.614 trillion by June 30, driven largely by distribution companies’ inefficiencies. They highlighted reforms underway to open Pakistan’s power market under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market, which will allow large buyers to deal directly with generators.
Lawmakers, however, voiced frustration that such long-term plans do little to ease current consumer pain. They urged NEPRA to prioritize uninterrupted and affordable electricity, with faster complaint resolution and stronger penalties for noncompliance.
The committee deferred discussion on unrelated bills, including amendments to the Civil Servants Act, to its next session.
