Government has decided to conduct an audit of power plant set-ups by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) government, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said.
While talking to media in a press conference in Islamabad, Fawad Chaudhry said, "The PML-N government signed agreements to produce electricity at extremely high costs."
He said, “Quaid-e-Azam solar plant is the most expensive power plant in the world.”
Moreover, the Information Minister added that the price of electricity was increased by Rs1.32 owing to different plants.
He further added, “We have already started the audit of two power plants."
Fawad Chaudhry said, “During its last two years, the PML-N government increased the power tariff to Rs15.53 per unit and were selling it for Rs11.71/unit.”
“During the winter and summer, the government is facing a loss of Rs3 billion on a daily basis owing to which the circular debt increased by Rs34 billion per year,” Chaudhry claimed.
Information minister clarified, “National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) determines the power tariff and was created by the previous governments not us.”
Fawad Chaudhry said that the electricity demand has been reached to 14,000MW today.
He continued, “NEPRA informed us that we should increase the prices of electricity or incur a loss on a daily basis.”
He further said, “We tried our best to ensure that the poor are not affected by the hike in gas prices and are striving to fix things.”
The information minister also clarified that no decision regarding a hike in power tariffs was taken during the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting.
"Federal Minister for Energy Umar Ayub is out of town and a decision will be taken during the next ECC meeting," he added.
He further added, "The way PML-N played with the institutions needs to be brought forward."
While emphasizing on the need for accountability, Chaudhry remarked, “some friends suggest that we should not go against opposition parties.”
He then questioned, “When everything has to run like this then what is the need for PTI to be in power?” adding, “Whenever accountability is spoken about, it is said that the democracy is in danger.”
Furthermore, while speaking about the fake bank accounts, Chaudhry said, “People are not even aware and billions are being discovered in their accounts.”
Information Minister said that the government is taking steps against money laundering and to increase investment in the country.