ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari announced that the government will maintain its subsidy for protected electricity consumers, dismissing any proposals to increase taxes on electricity charges.

According to Radio Pakistan, Minister Leghari briefed journalists in Islamabad on the government’s efforts to ensure transparency in the subsidy provided to consumers using less than 200 units of electricity per month. The number of these consumers has surpassed 21.5 million. Leghari emphasized that the government is not planning to terminate the subsidy for protected consumers. Instead, measures are being taken to link all qualifying consumers through a QR code system to ensure that only those truly deserving receive the subsidy, thereby allowing savings to benefit other consumers.

Leghari highlighted that two million people have registered by connecting their electricity meters to their CNICs using QR codes provided in their bills. He also noted that the Power Division’s financial burden on the federal budget has decreased by 457 billion rupees, bringing the Division’s demand down from 1,287 billion rupees to 830 billion rupees for the upcoming budget. Additionally, circular debt in the power sector has been reduced by 780 billion rupees.

The Minister stated that solar energy is being streamlined as a generation asset and not being discouraged. He noted that Pakistan is producing 55 percent clean energy and aims to increase this to 90 percent by 2035. Dependence on imported fuel, which was 2.4 billion dollars in 2025, is projected to decrease to 0.3 billion dollars by 2035.

Leghari also addressed improvements in the power sector’s complaint redressal system, with 4.6 million out of 6.1 million complaints resolved promptly this year.