ISLAMABAD
The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday suggested changes in National Power Policy 2013 terming it contrary to the national interests. The policy needs immediate review as it will serve no purpose except jacking up electricity price and draining foreign exchange reserves, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.
He said that policy claims to provide affordable electricity and settle energy crisis by 2017 which the steps government has taken are in the opposite direction. Government has decided to generate 16000 megawatt of electricity using imported coal ignoring hydel power and 185 billion tonnes of coal in Thar. Moreover, power sector is still dominated by bureaucrats and the appointment of qualified and professional people on key posts remain a far cry.  Dr Murtaza Mughal said that government is set to award construction of a power project to the company which constructed controversial Nandipur power project.
The cost of electricity in Pakistan remains highest in the region but NEPRA continues to revise tariff upwards which is taking tool on masses and the economy, he observed.  He said that government has been offering over 26 percent profit to foreign investors which would damage national interests in the long run.  The experience of allowing investors to choose location, fuel and technology has failed therefore repeating it again is not sanity, said Dr Mughal.