Privatization process of DISCOs started: Attaullah

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said the process of privatization of DISCOs has been started after an amendment in the State Owned Enterprises Act. Addressing a news conference along with MQM leader Mustafa Kamal in Islamabad today, he pointed out that inefficiency and corruption of DISCOs span over several decades. Therefore, he said it was decided to bring competent and professional people from the private sector to run the DISCOs. The Information Minister said the Prime Minister announced a fifty billion rupees subsidy on the electricity bills of consumers using up to two hundred units. He said this decision was taken to ensure that the electricity bills remain on the lower side in the summer season. He said the Prime Minister has now also extended date of payment for electricity bills by ten days. Attaullah Tarar said consultations are also continuing with regards to the review of the IPPs. He said the government has also taken steps to check overbilling and power pilfera ge. In his remarks on the occasion, Mustafa Kamal said his party being a responsible one has never done point scoring. He said during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today, the MQM was informed about the steps being taken to address the problems faced by the public due to electricity bills. He expressed the confidence that the steps being taken by government would provide relief to the people. Source: Radio Pakistan