IT augurs well for consumers that the problem-ridden power sector remains in focus by all stakeholders including the Government, regulatory authority and also by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and as a consequence different issues are being fine-tuned for ultimate solutions. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), which is generally identified with tariff determination, has started paying attention to the rights and well-being of consumers through its updated service and safety standards. The Government is moving towards establishment of a competitive wholesale and retail electricity market within two years. And in a related development, the IMF is reportedly poking its nose on the issue of solarization, which is by all means a legitimate right of consumers.
Issues and challenges notwithstanding, the fact remains consumers in Pakistan are being forced to pay the highest electricity tariff in the region for an inferior service in every respect. Supplies are highly unreliable affecting individual, family and collective lives; wild fluctuations are causing financial losses to consumers by way of damaged electrical and electronic goods; bills continue to be inflated; bogus meter reading is commonplace; consumer complaints remain unattended for days and distribution and transmission systems pose threats to citizens. The NEPRA was established over two decades back to take care of these and other related issues but its role remained lacklustre as far as rights and interests of consumers are concerned. The rules originally framed for the purpose have never been implemented in letter and spirit and now the updated versions can help improve the situation if implementation issues are addressed satisfactorily. The proposed consumer facilitation app will surely go a long way in ensuring compliance as it will be difficult to ignore online complaints and that too when the regulator will be monitoring the process of their disposal as per given timelines. It is important to note that if distribution companies fail to meet these deadlines, affected customers will receive compensation credited directly to their electricity bills. Strangely enough, the NEPRA has given a lavish cut-off-date of one year for development of this app in this era of information technology but let us hope it will be there in one year. The idea to have a competitive wholesale and retail markets of electricity will surely force the companies to excel in service and offer competitive prices to the benefit of consumers. As for solarization, consumers cannot be denied the right to go for cheaper options in the face of exploitative tariff by discos.
