Islamabad: A Senate panel has expressed concerns over the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (NEPRA) unapproved salary increases and has called for a performance audit, while also urging action on recommendations for altering the age and attempt limits for the CSS Competitive Examination.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, led by Senator Rana Mahmood Ul Hassan, convened at Parliament House to address issues related to telecommunications regulation, NEPRA’s compensation and efficiency, circular debt, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and the enforcement of upper age limit changes for the CSS exam. The meeting was attended by several senators, both in-person and virtually, including Senators Mohammed Abdul Qadir and Aimal Wali Khan.

The Committee postponed discussions on the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s criteria due to the absence of relevant officials. The committee chair directed key officials from the Ministry of Information Technology to attend the next session. The briefing highlighted NEPRA’s salary increments without federal approval, prompting the Committee to request a comprehensive audit and refer the issue to the Public Accounts Committee.

Concerns were also raised regarding capacity payments to non-operational power plants, with criticism aimed at NEPRA for not providing tariff details. The Committee demanded detailed reports on IPPs and called for a review of electricity tariffs and IPP agreements. The frequent changes in petroleum prices were noted for future discussion.

The Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of recommended changes to the CSS exam and urged the relevant authorities to act promptly.