Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said that Balochistan was vital part of Pakistan economy.
He was addressing the book launch and photo exhibition event titled “Balochistan: Air-Panoramas & Landscapes” by Aziz Ahmed Jamali and Tahir Khan Kayani at Pakistan National Council of Arts(PNCA) on Friday.
Awais Leghari said, “I am fortunate to be present at this book launch ceremony today,” “Our tribe has a deep and historic connection with Balochistan,” he shared.
“This book has given me insights into Balochistan that I was previously unaware of,” laghari told. “The authors have beautifully captured the true essence of Balochistan,” he shared proudly.
“We will work to bring Balochistan’s hidden scenic beauty to the world,” Awais Laghari vowed. “The region is rich in natural resources,” he admired. Awais Leghari urged to uncover and highlight Balochistan’s untapped treasures. “It is essential to showcase the geography and culture of all regions of Balochistan to the world,” he stressed.
He inaugurated the painting exhibition at the end of the event.
Earlier, The federal government has announced a significant progress in reforming Pakistan’s power sector, with sharp focus on reducing electricity prices, incentivizing industrial growth and addressing long-standing structural issues.
In a press conference on Saturday, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari highlighted the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and ensure energy sustainability. He announced that talks have been initiated with Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to renegotiate existing agreements. “We have already initiated talks with Chinese IPPs,” said Leghari, adding that this effort alone has resulted in a reduction of Rs1.25 per unit in electricity rates. “All benefits from the renewal of contracts with IPPs will be passed on to consumers,” he said.
Electricity prices, a perennial concern, have shown signs of easing. Average tariffs have dropped from Rs48.70 per unit in June to Rs44.04, while industrial tariffs have plunged from Rs58.50 to Rs47.17 — a Rs4.66 and Rs11.33 reduction, respectively. This reprieve has been made possible by eliminating a Rs150 billion cross-subsidy for industries, which the minister claims has sparked job creation and economic stability. Leghari further said that the government has made substantial strides in reforming the country’s power distribution companies (Discos), with independent boards now driving improvements. These boards were constituted without external influence, and they are now delivering results. In the first five months of the current fiscal year, the DISCOs have reported significantly reduced losses compared to the same period last year. The minister expressed optimism about cutting losses by half this fiscal year and eliminating them entirely by the next. The government has also begun restructuring power sector loans, a critical step to address the financial burden caused by capacity payments, which account for 75 per cent of electricity bills. If successful, the restructuring could lower electricity bills by several rupees per unit for consumers.
“This is a major milestone. No one had considered debt restructuring in the past, but if we succeed, it will provide a significant relief to consumers,” the minister said.
