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PM Khan briefed over circulatory debt, reforms in energy sector

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Abdul Qadir
Abdul Qadir
Abdul Qadir is a senior journalist working with Pakistan's biggest news channel ARY News. He is covering Prime Minister Office and Federal Cabinet of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan was briefed over current position of circulatory debt and progress of actions against power theft and retrieval of dues, ARY News reported on Monday.

PM Imran Khan chaired a high-level session to review circulatory debt, progress of ongoing efforts to remove difficulties in uninterrupted power supplies and reforms in energy sector.

The meeting was attended by adviser on finance Hafeez Sheikh, Omar Ayub, special assistant on petroleum Nadeem Babar, Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Yousuf Baig Mirza and others.

PM Khan was told that circulatory debt was increased up to Rs450 billion during the fiscal year of 2017-18. He was apprised that the federal government was getting positive results of the campaign launched to retrieve dues and action against power theft.

The officials said that the government has managed to retrieve Rs48 billion additional money from December 2018 to March 2019, whereas, the generated income would reach to Rs80 billion by the end of 2019.

The officials further detailed that circulatory debts will be brought to Rs293 billion during 2018-19 and Rs96 billion from 2019 to 2020, whereas, the government has set target to end debts by December 2020.

Read More: PM Khan constitutes committees for CPEC, privatization and energy

More than 27,000 cases were filed against power thieves and 4,225 arrests were made in this regards, officials said. During the action against electricity theft, 433 government officials were found involved in facilitating the elements in stealing electricity. 1,467 officials were given charge sheet and 15 major faults were removed in electricity transmission system.

The premier was told that 3,000 megawatts electricity was added to the transmission system and no loadshedding will be made on around 80 per cent feeders during Ramadan. However, load management will be made on remaining 20 per cent feeders as per ratio of loss.

While briefing PM Khan on hike in electricity prices, the officials said that net hydel profits were not included in power rates by the previous government which put additional burden on consumers.

They said that the previous rulers had announced provision of subsidy on electricity but they did not allocate funds in the budget. They added that the power department faced difficulties due to poor planning by the previous governments.

While concluding the meeting, PM Imran Khan directed power sector to ensure uninterrupted electricity supplies to the nationals at the timings of Sehr and Iftaar during the holy month of Ramadan. PM was apprised that the concerned departments have devised a comprehensive plan for transmission system for next 25 years.

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