Tag: probe

  • Nepra approves Rs7.056 per unit hike for power consumers

    Nepra approves Rs7.056 per unit hike for power consumers

    In a setback for the already burdened public grappling with inflation, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has greenlit a fuel cost adjustment, paving the way for a Rs7.0562 per unit increase in tariffs for March 2024.

    This decision grants state-run power distribution companies the authority to impose additional charges, projecting a staggering financial burden of around Rs56 billion on consumers.

    This figure could potentially soar to nearly Rs66 billion, taking into account the 18 per cent general sales tax (GST).

    It’s important to note that this tariff adjustment is applicable across all consumer categories, except for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and lifeline consumers.

    The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), representing the distribution companies, had initially sought Rs7.13 per unit in its petition.

    Earlier this month, The News highlighted the plea from ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDiscos) seeking Nepra’s approval for the Rs7.13 per unit increase.

    This was attributed to a significant drop in hydropower production and systemic constraints, such as the incapacity of the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to efficiently transport economically viable power from southern producers to the north.

    Amidst these developments, commentators express concern over the substantial surge in fuel costs, reaching Rs14.6206/kWh for January 2024.

    In response, Nepra has taken decisive action, initiating an investigation under Section 27-A of the NEPRA Act to uncover the reasons behind this significant fuel cost, as claimed by CPPA-G for January 2024.

  • Fawad proposes committee with leaders from coalition govt and PTI to probe Gill’s ‘torture’

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry on Saturday (August 20) proposed the formation of a committee comprising Federal Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and PTI leader Dr Shireen Mazari — to investigate the “torture” of Dr Shahbaz Gill.

    “They will also not be blamed for being pro-PTI,” Fawad tweeted.

    “These people have a point of view on torture, which is independent of their parties’ narrative […] hence, they should be given the responsibility of inquiring the events,” he said.

    The PTI has alleged that Gill was tortured in custody and was sexually abused.

    On Friday, Khan said in a series of tweets said, “All the pictures and videos show clearly Gill was tortured both mentally and physically, including sexual abuse — most too gruesome to relate.”

    Talking to media persons outside the capital’s Police Lines Headquarters today, Chaudhry asserted that physical or mental torture won’t be allowed under any circumstances.

    “I personally believe […] and this is not my party’s demand but mine […] that an independent panel should be formed and the torture should be investigated. And then the faces of those who tortured [Gill] and those who passed its orders should be brought forward in public,” he said, requesting the Supreme Court to take notice of the incident.