- Lawmakers informed Discos carrying out outage a policy linked to AT&C losses
- NEPRA officials insist unscheduled outages contravened Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules 2025
- MPs censure OGRA over LPG safety lapses, substandard cylinders, rejects proposed tribunal appeal limit cut to 35 days as impractical
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat on Wednesday strongly condemned the countrywide unscheduled power outages, declaring them a clear violation of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) rules.
The committee, chaired by MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmad, directed the Power Division to appear before it in the next session to explain the reasons behind the widespread disruptions that have added to public hardship.
During the proceedings at Parliament House, the committee’s members were informed that electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) had been carrying out load-shedding under a policy linked to Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, reportedly on the instructions of the Power Division.
However, NEPRA officials rejected this justification, insisting that the unscheduled blackouts contravened the Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules 2025 and had never received the regulator’s approval. The committee noted that such a policy amounted to overstepping NEPRA’s jurisdiction, and stressed that only the regulator was empowered to authorize such measures.
Members warned that subjecting consumers to power cuts on the pretext of AT&C losses was both unlawful and unfair, especially as millions of households and businesses were already struggling with high electricity tariffs. The committee called for a comprehensive explanation from the Power Division, making clear that accountability would be ensured in line with regulatory frameworks.
In addition to power sector concerns, the committee also scrutinized the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for what it described as inadequate oversight of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sales and illegal decanting in residential neighborhoods. Lawmakers highlighted the severe safety risks posed by such practices, including frequent incidents of cylinder explosions.
The committee also expressed alarm at the continued circulation of substandard LPG cylinders in the market and urged OGRA to take strict legal action against violators. It recommended that the government launch a nationwide awareness campaign to inform citizens about the dangers associated with faulty cylinders and unsafe refilling practices.
On legislative business, the committee unanimously rejected a proposed amendment to the Services Tribunals Amendment Bill, 2025, which sought to reduce the time limit for aggrieved civil servants to file appeals from 90 to 35 days. Members argued that the change would overburden tribunals while also depriving departments of sufficient time to investigate cases thoroughly.
The committee also reviewed matters relating to the Benevolent and Group Insurance Funds Management. It instructed officials to complete an actuarial assessment of both funds within three months and recommended revising disbursement rules. Lawmakers proposed that benefits should be provided to government employees upon retirement instead of being limited to heirs after their death.
Officials clarified that under the current framework, only legal heirs of deceased employees are entitled to financial grants. The committee stressed the need for reforms to ensure timely support for retired employees, many of whom face financial difficulties.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Tahira Aurangzeb, Nuzhat Sadiq, Farah Naz Akbar, Syed Rafiullah, Rana Ansar, along with senior officials from the Power Division, OGRA, NEPRA, and other relevant government bodies.
