Minister vows to end circular debt by Dec 2020

ISLAMABAD: Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan said on Friday that a system of automatic metering is being introduced in the country to bring efficiency in the power sector and to stop power pilferage.

Addressing a news conference, he expressed confidence that circular debt would be completely eliminated by December next year.

"The energy sector will observe a remarkable difference soon," he stated, adding that all efforts are being made to ensure that no load shedding is carried out during Sehr and Iftar across the country.

He said work is being accelerated to enhance the renewable component in the energy mix and by 2025, as much as "20pc energy produced in the country will be through alternative sources".

He said this portion would be increased to over 30pc by 2030.

The minister said the campaign against elements involved in power theft has been progressing smoothly, as over 4,000 people have so far been arrested in this regard.

"A sum of Rs91 billion has been recovered from the public and private sectors, while Rs300 billion would be recovered from the defaulters soon."

He said 60pc electricity is being produced from imported fuel owing to the flawed policies of the previous government.