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Another Rs4.66 per unit hike in power bills expected next month

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  • The CPPA is representing Discos in the case.
  • NEPRA holds public hearing on CPPA petition.
  • NEPRA asks CPPA about operating plants on imported fuel.

ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers are expected to bear an extra burden of Rs33 billion if the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approves Rs4.66 a unit proposed increase in power prices in January 2024 bills, The News reported.

The proposed price enhancement is attributed to the fuel adjustment for November 2023.

The public hearing on the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) plea was conducted by the NEPRA. The CPPA was representing Discos in the case.

NEPRA questioned the CPPA about operating power plants on imported fuel while shutting down more cost-effective plants for maintenance. Notably, the maintenance-related shutdown of the Thar coal-based plant contributed to higher electricity prices.

Moreover, a 13% decrease in electricity consumption and the utilisation of power plants running on costly imported LNG fuel in November 2023 added to the financial burden on consumers.

The NEPRA chairman stated that when demand falls below the reference level, negative growth in power generation raises costs. This leads to positive adjustments in monthly fuel charges (FCAs) and quarterly adjustments (QTAs). Due to low-capacity utilisation, capacity charges rise as consumers must cover fixed charges at all costs. In its petition, CPPA had requested previous adjustments of Rs15.9 billion (Rs2.117/unit) to be passed on to consumers in January 2024 bills.

Responding to allegations of overbilling, NEPRA asserted its track record of implementing past decisions and vowed to enforce its recent decision. The regulator issued explanations to power distribution companies (Discos) and indicated the initiation of legal actions against them. In response to a question about recent loadshedding, the CPPA stated, “Discos manage loads due to losses, hydel generation has decreased, expensive generation is occurring, and gas supply is unavailable to power plants, leading to load management. Additionally, in line with government policy, we implement 2-hour load management.”

Meanwhile, the power division in a separate statement attributed recent loadshedding on December 25th and 26th to multiple grid station failures in the Multan region and other Discos. The tripping of 132kv, 220kv, and 500kv grid stations, coupled with reduced hydel generation due to fog, created system constraints. A 1,600 MW shortfall in generation was attributed to canal closure, and a 700 MW shortage was due to limited LNG availability.

The Power Division is actively working to minimise shortfalls, using furnace oil to compensate for the LNG shortage and generate 800 MW. Loadshedding was necessary to manage system constraints and ongoing efforts are in place to stabilise the system.

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FO admits that a boat capsized in Greece, killing four Pakistanis.

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The deaths of four Pakistanis in a boat capsizing event close to the southern Greek island of Goudos have been verified by the Foreign Office.

The incident happened on Sunday and at least five illegal immigrants drowned as a result. According to Greek Coast Guards, 39 people were rescued after the wooden boat overturned, but 40 more are still unaccounted for.

According to a Foreign Office spokeswoman, the four Pakistani nationals were among those killed in the catastrophe. In order to help the remaining Pakistanis and repatriate the corpses of the deceased, the Pakistani Embassy in Athens has been in close communication with Greek authorities, she said.

Additional information was given by Aamir Aftab Qureshi, Pakistan’s ambassador to Greece, during a press conference. According to him, there were 80 Pakistanis on board the doomed boat, and efforts are still being made to find the people who are still missing.

He added that the overcrowding on the boat was a factor in the capsizing. There are worries over the safety of the missing people because a sizable portion of them are children. He stated that five boats carrying Pakistani nationals were traveling illegally from Libya.

The public was also informed by Ambassador Qureshi that the government will pay for the return flight of the accident victims’ bodies.

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Every office will have a biometric system installed by Lesco.

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system in each office.

Details show that the LESCO had ordered the installation of biometric systems in all offices, including the divisions and the circle.

The installation of the biometric system at the headquarters resulted in an increase in attendance, as the LESCO CEO had stated.

The CEO of LESCO claimed that the biometric system has resolved the issues related to the fictitious overtime and off-days.

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Around 450 Pakistanis have successfully crossed into Lebanon from Syria, according to a briefing from the Foreign Office.

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Approximately 450 Pakistanis, including 250 Zaireen, have successfully crossed into Lebanon from Syria, according to the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.

During her weekly briefing at the foreign office in Islamabad, she stated that Pakistan is pleased with the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly on the Gaza Strip, which calls for an immediate ceasefire.

In addition, she expressed her satisfaction with the elimination of limits placed on UNRWA’s ability to carry out relief activities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

It was stated by her that Pakistan is demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine, an end to the genocide that is taking place in Gaza, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for those who are in urgent need, full support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its mandated humanitarian activities, and medical assistance for those who are in urgent need.

Moreover, she stated that Pakistan emphasises the need for the international community to hold Israel accountable for the war crimes and crimes against humanity that it has committed in occupied lands.

The Israeli aggression against Syria, the illegitimate acquisition of Syrian territory, and the massive devastation of Syrian infrastructure as well as civilian and military sites are all topics that Pakistan is extremely worried about, according to the spokesperson for Pakistan.

According to her, this attack on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a serious violation of international law to the highest degree. By expressing our support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, we are also expressing our opposition to the Israeli government’s attempt to acquire territory through coercion.

The resolution 497 of the United Nations Security Council, which declares the annexation of the Golan Heights by Israel to be null and illegal and to have no international legal impact, was reaffirmed by her organisation.

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