The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has directed all power distribution companies to immediately correct unfair and inflated electricity bills, after members raised alarming figures during a session held to review the issue.
Committee members shared their own billing experiences to highlight the scale of the problem. Senator Waqar Mehdi told the meeting that his electricity bill for just 202 units came to Rs 18,500, a figure that drew sharp criticism from the committee.
Senator Haji Hidayatullah raised the matter with greater force, stating that consumers in Islamabad using 2,000 units had received bills of up to Rs 250,000.
He questioned the authorities on who would be held responsible for the error, noting that distribution companies had already admitted fault while consumers continued to bear the financial burden.
Officials of the Power Division briefed the committee on a separate development, confirming that a key power project in Jamshoro had been completed after a delay of four years.
The officials said the project was stalled due to non-payment of taxes by a Chinese company involved in its execution, and resumed only after the government released the required funds.
The session also touched on development plans for the federal capital. Senator Waqar Mehdi informed the committee of a twin sister cities agreement signed with Azerbaijan, under which the Capital Development Authority received a special grant intended for beautification projects in Islamabad.
Committee member Rubina Khalid directed the Ministry of Interior to utilize the grant for beautifying the capital and undertaking large-scale tree plantation.
