PM Shehbaz Orders Renewable Energy Strategy and Crackdown on Power Theft
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formulation of a comprehensive renewable energy strategy for Pakistan and ordered immediate action against power theft, signalling a dual-track approach to addressing the country's chronic energy sector challenges.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting at which senior energy officials briefed the prime minister on the current state of the electricity sector. PM Shehbaz emphasised that transitioning to renewables is not optional but an economic imperative, given the unsustainable cost of imported fuel-based generation.
On power theft, the prime minister instructed relevant authorities to intensify enforcement operations and ensure accountability at all levels, including among distribution company staff implicated in facilitating illegal connections. Power theft is estimated to cost Pakistan's electricity network billions of rupees annually and remains a primary driver of the circular debt crisis.
The renewable energy strategy is expected to encompass solar, wind, and hydroelectric components, with a focus on reducing dependence on expensive thermal power and lowering per-unit electricity costs for consumers and industries alike.
The announcement follows sustained pressure on the government to address soaring electricity bills and energy sector inefficiencies that have weighed heavily on household budgets and industrial competitiveness.
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