Pakistan can save up to Rs50bn if citizens endure two-hour of loadshedding: energy minister

Energy Minister Awais Leghari stated that if citizens can endure two hours of load shedding daily, the government could save up to Rs50 billion. He acknowledged that electricity tariffs in Pakistan are high, but mentioned that subsidies are provided to poor consumers while others bear the burden. Due to the high cost of electricity, industries are closing down, so the government is now providing electricity to industries at lower rates. Leghari also mentioned the government’s plan to eliminate load shedding by switching to energy-efficient fans and establishing new power plants. He stated that the average cost of electricity has increased to Rs44 per unit due to depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar. The government is also working on independent power producers, and a task force has been formed to address the issue of load shedding.