PM takes notice of new Nepra rules for solar consumers, directs Power Division to file review appeal
Shehbaz announces compensation for martyrs of Islamabad terror attack
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took notice of the recent changes made by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) regarding solar consumers and directed the Power Division to file a review appeal against it.
The power regulator on Monday changed the terms of contracts for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers — known as prosumers — to contain rising solar energy penetration and protect an expensive and inefficient state-owned power network. The notification effectively terminated the existing net-metering regime and replaced it with net-billing for all.
A statement from the PM Office (PMO) issued today said the premier had taken “immediate notice” of the matter.
The development follows outcry from senators across the political spectrum, including the ruling ally, the PPP, and the opposition, the PTI, in opposition to the NEPRA move.
The PMO quoted the prime minister as directing the Power Division to immediately file a review appeal before Nepra “to ensure every possible safeguard of the existing consumer contracts”.
PM Shehbaz was of the view that the “burden of 466,000 users benefitting from solar should not be put on 37.6 million domestic consumers who were getting electricity directly from the national grid”.
“Power division should chalkout a comprehensive strategy in this regard,” he added.
The prime minister issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting on the new Nepra regulations.
The meeting was attended by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Power Minister AwaisLeghari, Economic Affairs Minister AhadCheema, Information Minister AttaullahTarar, Minister of State for Finance Bilal AzharKiyani and PM’s adviser Muhammad Ali.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a compensation of ten million rupees for ShaheedAuon Abbas and five million rupees each for the other martyrs of last Friday’s terrorist attack on Imambargah Khadija-tul-Kubra in Tarlai area of Islamabad.
He made this announcement while visiting the site in Islamabad today.
The Prime Minister also announced three million rupees each for the critically injured and one million rupees for the wounded.
He also visited the residence of ShaheedAuon Abbas, offered Fateha for the departed soul, and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family. He said ShaheedAuon Abbas will be posthumously awarded on 14 August for his bravery in stopping the terrorist attack.
During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the heinous act of terrorism as an extreme form of barbarism. He said the entire nation was plunged into grief over this atrocity and affirmed that the sacrifices of the martyrs would not go in vain. Staff Report
