ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday lauded the government for continued improvement in the power generation, necessary for socio-economic development.
However, it said that pace of reforms is slower than expected which must be considered by the policymakers in the national interest. Transmission and distribution losses and theft of electricity should be contained which the circular debt should not be allowed to resurface, said PEW President Dr Murtaza Mughal.
He said that twenty independent power producers are facing problems in continuing operations as their overdue amount has jumped to Rs205 billion which has compromised their ability to operate at full capacity.
These IPPs have stopped payments to the PSO and others, which is causing problems and needs notice, he said. Dr Mughal said that pace of reforms in the power sector should not be allowed to threaten the economic stability of the country.
Dr Mughal said power sector reforms are directly linked to investors’ confidence and investment in the country which must be realised on the policy level, adding that the masses and the economy continue suffer because of the weakness of the power sector.
Such economic conditions must get the immediate attention of the authorities, he concluded.
