Karachi: Khalil Ahmad Thand of the Pasban Democratic Party has openly criticized both the present and past governments for their handling of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), attributing significant financial losses to the nation due to flawed agreements and inadequate oversight. Thand emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues to safeguard Pakistan’s economy.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, agreements with IPPs have cost the national exchequer trillions of rupees over the years, exacerbating public concern over electricity distribution. Thand accused the Ministry of Power and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) of failing to address critical shortcomings in the management of IPPs, which he claims have led to inflated power generation tariffs and financial discrepancies benefiting a few at the expense of the public.

The party has called for a transparent investigation into the contracts with IPPs, describing them as “killers of public interests” and insisting on reforms that would permanently relieve citizens from exorbitant electricity bills, rather than providing temporary measures. Thand also urged the provincial governments to emulate successful strategies from regions like Punjab, which plans to use its resources to reduce electricity costs, and encouraged collaborative efforts between the federation and provinces to comprehensively address these systemic issues.

Moreover, the Pasban Democratic Party has advised the Sindh government to focus on substantial economic contributions rather than engaging in political rivalries, urging a united approach among all provinces and the federal government to implement effective solutions that will ensure long-term relief for the populace.