ISLAMABAD – The circular debt, loans and liabilities of the power sectorhave surged to an all-time high of Rs1,155 billion.
They include Rs575 billion in outstanding payments and loans of Rs580billion parked in the Power Holding Private Limited. Meanwhile, the amountowed to Pakistan State Oil has increased to Rs331.5 billion. Collectively,they pose a threat to the smooth functioning of the power sector.
Power division officials also told the cabinet that previous government’sclaim to have brought an end to electricity load-shedding were incorrect, asenior official said.
Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces were still subject topower cuts because of a 4,000-megawatt shortfall caused by shortcomings inthe national electricity distribution system, the cabinet was told.
The prime minister instructed the power division to formulate workableproposals for uninterrupted power supplies to the industrial sector and thesupply of electricity at affordable prices.