PM for shifting to renewables to reduce dependence on imported fuels

• Premier Shehbaz calls for renewable energy push, including hydropower, solar and biogas to cut costs with tighter power reforms

• Orders strict action against electricity theft and rule violations, directing expedited installation of smart meters in areas with high losses

• Transmission losses fall to 15.3pc, recovery improves to 96.46pc

• 400MW private sector supply under wheeling regime to be fast-tracked

• Tax dispute reforms: ADR system, CLMS to speed up litigation resolution

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for accelerating efforts to reduce reliance on imported fuels, stressing that increased electricity generation from hydropower, solar energy, biogas and other renewable sources would significantly lower production costs and support overall economic growth.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on reforms in the power sector, the prime minister directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive long-term strategy to meet future energy requirements through indigenous and renewable resources, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت سالڈ ویسٹ مینجمنٹ کے حوالے سے اہم اجلاس

"سالڈ ویسٹ سے توانائی پیدا کرنے سے درآمدی ایندھن پر انحصار مزید کم ہو گا اور قیمتی زرمبادلہ کی بچت ہوگی۔ سالڈ ویسٹ مینجمنٹ کے ایک بہتر نظام سے کاربن فٹ پرنٹ میں بھی خاطر خواہ کمی ممکن ہوگی۔ پائیدار… pic.twitter.com/zupWZ1w2nu

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 12, 2026

He further directed that no leniency should be shown towards individuals involved in electricity theft and ordered strict departmental action against power distribution companies found violating the Economic Merit Order in recent periods.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed officials to expedite the installation of smart meters on transformers in areas with high electricity losses and to fast-track initiatives aimed at promoting a competitive electricity market across the country.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت سالڈ ویسٹ مینجمنٹ کے حوالے سے اہم اجلاس

وزیراعظم کی مجوزہ ٹاسک فورس میں نجی شعبے اور بین الاقوامی شہرت کے ماہرین کی شمولیت یقینی بنانے کی ہدایت۔
وزیراعظم کی سالڈ ویسٹ سے توانائی بنانے کے لیے ایک جامع لائحہ عمل تجویز کرنےکے لیےٹاسک فورس… pic.twitter.com/FAIPBgoUac

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 12, 2026

He also directed authorities to accelerate work on supplying 400 megawatts of electricity to the private sector in the first phase under the wheeling regime, aimed at improving industrial efficiency and energy access.

During the briefing, participants were informed that electricity theft, non-payment and other distribution losses had significantly declined due to effective enforcement measures compared to last year.

Officials told the meeting that transmission and distribution losses had reduced from 18.3 percent in June 2024 to 15.3 percent in March 2026, while electricity bill recovery improved from 90 percent to 96.46 percent during the same period.

The meeting was further informed that efforts were underway to involve the private sector in three distribution companies, with the bidding process expected to be completed by November this year.

Officials also highlighted that smart meters had already been installed on 2,500 high-loss feeders across the country as part of ongoing reform measures.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials from relevant institutions.

 

PM approves tax litigation reform plan to speed up dispute resolution

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, while emphasizing the need for swift resolution of tax disputes, called for strengthening the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to reduce court burden and ensure timely settlement of cases.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review ongoing reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the prime minister directed the early establishment of a Centralized Litigation Management System (CLMS), as recommended in a submitted report, according to the PM Office Media Wing.

He expressed satisfaction over the positive outcomes of digitization and ongoing reforms in the FBR, noting that these measures were producing encouraging results.

The prime minister approved the action plan proposed by a task force and directed that it be implemented with clear timelines to ensure effective execution.

He also instructed that the FBR legal wing be strengthened with competent human resources, emphasizing strict merit-based recruitment.

During the meeting, a task force presented a comprehensive six-point reform agenda, including formation of case scrutiny committees, implementation of CLMS, and linking performance evaluation of tax officers with case outcomes.

The officials informed the meeting that Rs24 billion had so far been collected for the national exchequer this year through decisions made under the ADR mechanism.

The meeting was attended by ministers including Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, members of the task force and senior government officials.