*ISLAMAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved to jack up electricityprices by Rs7.91 per unit. *
Addressing a news conference along with Minister of State for PetroleumMusadik Malik in Islamabad on Tuesday, Minister for Power Khurram Dastgirsaid there will be an increase of 3.50 rupees per unit from 26th of thismonth. There will be another increase of 3.50 rupees per unit from nextmonth whilst in the month of October, the tariff will be increased byninety paisa per unit.
Dastgir said increase in the electricity tariff will not have an impact onthe poorest consumers. He said the consumers are already paying a bigportion of this increase in the form of fuel surcharge. He said this fuelsurcharge will now be reflected in the tariff.
He said these three months will be difficult for the consumers but theelectricity prices will start coming down from the month of November afterreflection of fuel surcharge in the tariff.
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Khurram Dastgir said the cabinet has also considered providing gas andelectricity to five major export sectors on reduced rates. An announcementto this effect will soon be made. He said we will give the tariff that isclose to the regional countries in order to bolster our exports.
Khurram Dastgir said the present government has reduced the circular debtby 214 billion rupees. He said steps are being taken to reduce line losses.
