Latest news with #Discos
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sharjeel calls upon political parties to lay their focus on economy
HYDERABAD: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that in the current political climate, there is no race for the office of Prime Minister; instead, it is time for all political parties to work earnestly towards the country's development and economic revival. Speaking to the media at Rawal House, Rahuki, he emphasised that Pakistan has achieved a great and historic victory, and now a similar success must be pursued in the economic sphere. Memon, who is also provincial minister for information, transport, and mass transit, said that Pakistan's global standing, including the value of its passport, has improved. He said that the nation is now fully aware of the enemy's proxy war being waged within Pakistan. He said our youth are courageously fighting terrorists day and night, and our defense forces possess the strength and capability to deliver a decisive blow to India. Memon said that at this critical time, the pursuit of power should not be anyone's priority. Instead, it is the government's responsibility to take the opposition on board in order to steer the country out of its current challenges. Criticizing former Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said that Khan should apologise to the nation for incidents such as those of May 9. He added that PTI has effectively sidelined itself, and internal divisions within the party have now become evident. He said that in politics, opportunities are given to everyone, and everyone makes mistakes, but Imran Khan should open his eyes now and recognize the double-dealing elements around him. Speaking about the Sindh government, he said that the Chief Minister has put all relevant institutions on high alert in view of the anticipated floods and rains. He expressed serious concerns over the ongoing electricity crisis, stating that Hyderabad is facing up to 20 hours of load shedding, which is causing widespread suffering. He criticized the poor performance of Discos and urged the federal government to hold these power companies accountable and provide relief to the common people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's PM announces abolition of monthly Rs35 PTV fee from electricity bills
Tariq Butt, Gulf Today Correspondent Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday formally inaugurated the 'Apna Meter, Apna Reading' power smart mobile application — an initiative aimed at promoting transparency in the billing process by allowing consumers to take their own meter readings and send them to their respective power companies. The prime minister also announced that the Pakistan Television (PTV) fee will be abolished from electricity bills. Consumers are currently charged Rs35 monthly PTV fee through electricity bills. The initiative aims to phase out the role of meter readers in power distribution companies (Discos) across the country amid frustration by power consumers. The current pro rata system removes electricity consumers from the 'protected category' or pushes them into the next slab, leading to higher bills. Speaking at a ceremony to launch the app, the prime minister said the initiative is a revolutionary step undertaken by the government as part of power sector reforms over the past year. 'We implemented reforms in the power sector, but we have a long way to go. We brought merit-based appointments to the boards of Discos, and took strong action against the corrupt mafia,' he said. Shahbaz said that the minister of energy made stringent efforts and held tough negotiations with independent power producers (IPP) that eventually led to reduction in electricity prices by Rs7.5 per unit. 'We settled circular debt after negotiations with banks. When global oil prices were falling, we took advantage and reduced electricity prices,' he said, adding that despite concerns, the government made the tough decision to rebase prices and not pass the burden to consumers. The premier said the biggest challenge is power theft worth Rs500b annually, and efforts are being made to curb the menace. He reaffirmed that the government will not discourage solar power as it is the cheapest form of electricity. 'Pakistan is one of the countries with the largest growth in solar energy production,' he said. Shahbaz said the main beneficiary of this app will be the power consumers. 'It is a revolutionary technology, it will benefit every consumer in every home,' adding that the power division should raise awareness among consumers to use the app, which has been introduced in five languages. Federal Minister of Energy Awais Ahmed Leghari also spoke on the occasion and said the initiative aims to give the responsibility of the meter reader to the consumers. He said power consumers under the 'protected category' consuming less than 100 units received higher bills due to delayed or flawed meter reading. He said the government returned Rs10bn in overbilled amounts last year and efforts are being made to ensure transparency in the billing process.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM unveils app for self meter reading
The minister invited international partners to invest in the nationwide rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), estimating a $3 billion need to serve over 30 million consumers. PHOTO: File Listen to article `Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday officially launched the "Apna Meter, Apna Reading" smart mobile application, a new initiative designed to enhance transparency in electricity billing. The app enables consumers to record their own meter readings and submit them directly to their respective power distribution companies. "We implemented reforms in the power sector, but we have a long way to go. We brought merit-based appointments to the boards of Discos, and took strong action against the corrupt mafia," he said. The premier made these remarks at a ceremony to launch the "Apna Meter, Apna Reading" app. The initiative seeks to gradually eliminate the role of meter readers in power distribution companies (Discos) nationwide, addressing widespread dissatisfaction among consumers. Under the current pro rata system, many consumers are shifted out of the 'protected category' or moved into higher billing slabs, resulting in increased electricity charges. The prime minister maintained that the initiative is a revolutionary step undertaken by the government as part of power sector reforms over the past year. He noted that the energy minister made stringent efforts and held tough negotiations with independent power producers (IPP) that eventually led to reduction in electricity prices by Rs7.5 per unit. "We settled circular debt after negotiations with banks. When global oil prices were falling, we took advantage and reduced electricity prices," he said, adding that despite concerns, the government made the tough decision to rebase prices and not pass the burden to consumers. The premier announced that the Pakistan Television (PTV) fee will be abolished from electricity bills. Consumers are currently charged Rs35 monthly PTV fee through electricity bills. He noted that the biggest challenge is power theft worth Rs500bn annually, and efforts are being made to curb the menace. He emphasized that the government will not discourage solar power as it is the cheapest form of electricity. "Pakistan is one of the countries with the largest growth in solar energy production," he said. The prime minister observed that the main beneficiary of this app will be the power consumers. "It is a revolutionary technology, it will benefit every consumer in every home," adding that the power division should raise awareness among consumers to use the app, which has been introduced in five languages. Federal Energy Minister Awais Ahmed Leghari also spoke on the occasion and said the initiative aims to give the responsibility of the meter reader to the consumers. He pointed out that power consumers under the 'protected category' consuming less than 100 units received higher bills due to delayed or flawed meter reading. He said the government returned Rs10bn in overbilled amounts last year and efforts are being made to ensure transparency in the billing process. In a statement earlier, the Power Division said the new feature allows electricity consumers to take a picture of their electricity meter on a specified date and upload it to the app, based on which their monthly bill will be issued. The aim of this system is to provide an effective solution to long-standing problems such as overbilling, reading errors and delay in reading. "This is not just a technology feature but a concrete reform in governance, which truly empowers consumers. With this system, consumers will not only be able to keep track of their bills, but now they will also be the guardians of the reading process," it added. If the user provides the reading on the due date, the meter reading taken after that day will not be given priority, and only the reading provided by the user will be fed.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Uniform tariff: govt formally moves Nepra
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has formally approached the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to implement a uniform electricity tariff across the country, including Karachi, effective from July 1, 2025. This move incorporates subsidies earmarked for the fiscal year 2025-26. The federal government has reduced subsidy for power sector by 13 per cent to Rs 1.036 trillion for FY 2025-26 from Rs 1.190 trillion for FY 2024-25. In its motion, the Power Division referred to NEPRA's determination of tariffs for distribution companies (Discos), announced on June 23, 2025. Under this determination, the national average tariff has been reduced to Rs 34 per kWh for FY 2025-26, down from Rs 35.50 per kWh in FY 2024-25. Nepra's decisions on KE tariffs: Power Div. flags potential consumers harm, urges revision The Federal Government's motion references the National Electricity Policy 2021, approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Clause 5.6.1 of the policy emphasizes that the financial sustainability of the power sector depends on recovering the full cost of service—where feasible—through an efficient tariff structure that ensures liquidity. Clause 5.6.4 adds that financial self-sustainability should ultimately eliminate the need for government subsidies, except for targeted support to lifeline, industrial, or agricultural consumers. The Power Division further stated that, based on socio-economic objectives, budgetary targets, and NEPRA's consumer-end tariff recommendations for state-owned Discos, the government intends to continue pursuing a uniform tariff structure across all consumers and regions. Accordingly, NEPRA is requested to determine a uniform tariff—including quarterly adjustments—for all state-owned Discos in the interest of consumers. Section 31(4) of the NEPRA Act empowers the Authority to determine a uniform tariff for public sector licensees based on their consolidated accounts, ensuring consumer interest. As per this provision, NEPRA has historically included the impact of targeted subsidies and cross-subsidies in uniform tariffs. The most recent such tariff for Discos was determined on July 13, 2024, and notified on July 14, 2024. After reviewing the tariff schedules recommended by NEPRA on June 23, 2025, for all consumer categories, the Federal Government has decided that a uniform tariff should be applied per Section 31(4) of the NEPRA Act. The proposed uniform tariff reflects the government's economic and social policy, and is based on the consolidated revenue requirements approved for Discos owned and controlled by the Federal Government. This proposal was submitted for Cabinet approval on June 28, 2025, and is being forwarded to NEPRA in anticipation of that approval. The Power Division emphasized that tariff rationalization among Discos is not intended to generate additional federal revenue, but to align with constitutional and policy requirements within the revenue requirements determined for Discos. Once approved, the revised structure will enable NEPRA to determine the final uniform tariff under Section 31(7) of the Act, replacing the existing rates notified on July 14, 2024. The government also aims to maintain a uniform end-user tariff for K-Electric alongside state-owned Discos, even after any future privatization. This will be achieved through direct and indirect subsidies. Consequently, the variable charge applicable to KE will be modified to align with KE's revenue requirements as determined by NEPRA, factoring in proposed targeted and cross-subsidies. This proposal, too, has been submitted for Cabinet approval and is being forwarded to NEPRA in anticipation. In conclusion, the Power Division clarified that this motion has been filed under Sections 7 and 31 of the NEPRA Act, along with Rule 17 of the NEPRA Rules, to seek reconsideration and issuance of a uniform Schedule of Tariffs for Discos, incorporating subsidies and tariff rationalization. A separate motion has also been filed for KE under Sections 7, 31(4), and 31(7), to issue a modified variable charge and maintain national uniformity in consumer-end tariffs. NEPRA is scheduled to hold a public hearing on July 1, 2025 to put a stamp of approval on the Federal Government's motion for uniform tariffs across all regions, including K-Electric's service territory. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Discontinued ‘best crisps to ever exist' are finally back on the shelves after 20 years
After 20 years off the shelves, crisp brand Discos is bringing back its pickled onion flavour. Owned by KP Snacks, pickled onion Discos were last seen on supermarket shelves way back in 2005, but they'll make a highly anticipated return to UK supermarkets on August 27. The news comes after snackers begged KP to reintroduce the flavour — there was even a petition launched. One fan said on Reddit: 'Loved [pickled onion Discos] growing up. 'They replaced it with Prawn Cocktail many years ago and while it is nice… it does not hold a candle to the mouth watering taste orgasm of pickled onion discos.' Others shared the same enthusiasm saying: 'These were THE best crisps to ever exist. Point blank. Period.' Another even said they 'used to eat 5 packets at a time.' Keep seeing this & its frustrating that pickled onion discos aren't there. By far used to be the best crisps ever 😭 — KerryAdair (@KerryAdairx) January 19, 2020 Kerry on X labelled pickled onion Discos 'the best crisps ever' while back in 2018, 13 years after the snack was last seen, @ScottMcGready wrote: 'I'm still really upset that @KPSnacks's pickled onion Discos got discontinued.' Another wrote: 'I am once again on my knees asking for pickled onion flavoured Discos to be brought back.' Amy Heap, marketing manager at Discos shared the excitement, saying: 'This legendary flavour has been a fan favourite for years, and its mouth-tingling tang is guaranteed to take your snack game to the next level. 'Whether you've loved them forever or you're just discovering their iconic punch, we can't wait for you to tear open a bag and try them.' While shoppers claim they used to spend just 20p on the snack, its returning at a cost of £1.35 for a 70g bag. But Discos aren't the only one to be bringing back some discontinued goodies. Maltesers confirmed that the white chocolate version of the iconic treat was making a comeback after 11 years, and it's now in stores. First launched in 2003, White Chocolate Maltesers were a fan-favourite before being discontinued in 2014 and people have spent more than a decade begging for them to return. A retro 80s sweet has also returned to supermarkets – Opal Fruits. Today they're better known by a very different name, as they were rebranded as Starburst in the late 90s. The sweets are being sold in 138g pouches containing strawberry, lemon, orange and lime flavours. Do you have a story to share?
