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The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure that Rs23 billion in electricity tariff relief on incremental consumption is included in the upcoming budget.
In a formal letter, KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani stressed the urgent need for disbursing the long-delayed subsidy, originally allocated across three federal budgets since 2021.
Bilwani noted that although Rs33 billion was earmarked as subsidy from July 2021 to October 2023, Rs23 billion remains undisputed and should be released immediately to Karachi’s industries.
He explained that while this relief has been extended to industries in other regions, only Karachi continues to suffer due to procedural delays involving K-Electric and unresolved legal issues.
According to KCCI, budget allocations included Rs22 billion in 2021–22, Rs13 billion in 2022–23, and Rs7 billion in 2023–24. However, no funds have been passed to industries due to KE’s non-compliance.
“K-Electric had no legal stay for nine months but didn’t pass the subsidy on to consumers,” Bilwani said, adding that NEPRA’s lack of enforcement worsened the situation for industrial units.
Bilwani said a tribunal dismissed KE’s appeal in July 2024, but the Islamabad High Court’s stay order has stalled relief efforts, prolonging hardship for Karachi’s industrial sector.
KCCI proposed that the Rs23 billion be paid directly to consumers, bypassing KE to prevent further delays. They urged NEPRA and the Power Division to verify and process figures urgently.
Bilwani concluded by calling this an issue of economic justice, urging swift action to sustain Karachi’s industrial output and protect national economic interests.
