Karachi Matters Editor
Hafiz Naeem has made electricity tariffs and IPPs (Independent Power Producers) the central issue of politics, putting the government and its allies under severe pressure.
In just four weeks, the landscape has changed. Four weeks ago, the government was scaring the nation with the IMF, refusing to give any concessions on electricity tariffs, and the IPPs were regarded as “sacred cows.” PTI members were on symbolic hunger strikes for Imran Khan’s release, Maulana Fazlur Rahman was angry about not being given a win, and MQM, as usual, was enjoying the perks of ministries and committees. But the public was exhausted by the high electricity bills.
In this context, Jamaat-e-Islami announced a sit-in. When the government stopped them from entering Islamabad, the protesters sat down in Rawalpindi instead. Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman began exposing the IPP contracts in his speeches. These speeches started going viral on social media, and soon electricity bills and IPPs became the central topic of Pakistani politics.
The government, initially unwilling to negotiate with the protesters, had to bow down. The most powerful minister, Mohsin Naqvi, had to announce in front of the protesters that electricity prices would be reduced soon, and a written agreement, signed by the government, was read out to the entire nation.
The Prime Minister announced that the nation would soon hear the good news of a reduction in electricity bills. The Punjab government had to announce a reduction of Rs 14 per unit for two months. Now, the governments of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan are under increasing pressure to announce relief as well. In response, the governments of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are attacking the federal and Punjab governments.
Everywhere, there is an uproar over electricity bills. The ruling parties are accusing each other of incompetence and corruption, but instead of decreasing, the pressure is increasing. Energy Minister Owais Leghari is daily assuring that prices will be reduced soon, the Prime Minister’s relief package is also being prepared, and the entire game of IPPs has been exposed.
It is clear that the government and IPPs don’t have much time left. If Jamaat-e-Islami succeeds in maintaining public pressure, the federal and provincial governments will eventually have to provide permanent relief to the public.
Only by reducing electricity prices can the economy be kept running.
