ISLAMABAD – Huge protests against inflated electricity prices continued incrisis-hit Pakistan with consumers flocking across the country, burningelectricity bills and chanting slogans against overpricing as the countryof over 240 million faces an economic crisis, with inflation skyrocketingat 29 percent.
Inflation-weary people bear the brunt as incumbent authorities have slashedpower sector subsidies in line with the IMF deal, setting new prices atrecord high.
As basic amount of electricity bills is linked with kilowatt-hours (kWh) orunits people consume, power tariff holds huge taxes that are collecteddirectly from the masses.
A resident of Gujranwala district shared his bill online, showing that hegot the bill of Rs10,500 after consuming around 212 units last month. Thebill shows that the cost of electricity was around Rs6,400.
For people consuming a bit over 200 units, Fuel Price Adjustment is around250, a tax based on the price of fuel from which electricity was generated.In case of higher price of fuel at the time of power generation, WAPDAcharge an additional amount in the next billing month.
If we break down the other charges, it starts with an electricity duty ofaround Rs100. An amount of Rs1,316 is being charged as General Sales Tax orGST. Income Tax would be Rs900, and there will be Rs366 in Extra Taxes.
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The bill also includes Rs227 for ‘Further Taxes’, Rs365 for Sales Tax,Rs680 for FC Surcharge, and Rs115 in ‘Taxes on FPA’.
Furthermore, power consumers are charged additional taxes on their incomein the utility bill if they are non-filers.
Pakistan, which is facing political, economic, and constitutional crisis,now witnesses huge protests as power consumers are apparently cornered asthe government increases the price of electricity.