- विज्ञापन -
Lahore: The All Pakistan Traders Association has announced that they will hold a protest across the nation against the rise in electricity bills on July 1, Pakistan-based The Express Tribune reported.
They warned the federal government to scrap additional taxes by June 30 or face further actions.
All Pakistan Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch and other traders made this announcement during a joint press conference in Islamabad on Friday.
Ajmal Baloch said, “The government has committed an injustice regarding electricity bills, and we are declaring a nationwide protest starting from July 1,” according to The Express Tribune report.
Highlighting the discrepancy in electricity bills, he said, “A bill for 200 units is different from that of higher usage. The Independent Power Producers (IPPs), owned by government elites, are being paid in dollars.”
Ajmal Baloch stated that payments are being made for 48,000 megawatts to IPPs. However, the actual need is around 20,000 megawatts. He urged the traders and people to join the protest on July 1.
Baloch said, “On July 1, traders across the country should protest, and the public should join us. There will be protests on every level and every street.”
He warned the government to abolish the taxes, fixed taxes and slabs included in the electricity bills by June 30 or else the traders will announce their next course of action on July 1, The Express Tribune reported.
He further said, “The IPP contracts, which burden the budget by Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 2,500 billion, should be reviewed.” He said that the burden of free electricity being given to WAPDA employees is being put on people.
