Azad Kashmir Cabinet Finalizes Reduction in Electricity Rates

Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir (PaJK) , July 7, 2024 — The Azad Kashmir Cabinet has given final approval to a reduction in electricity rates.

In Muzaffarabad, the Cabinet approved the previous notification setting the electricity price at PKR 3 per unit. Additionally, it approved the payment of all outstanding electricity bills in 12 equal installments.

The notification regarding the reduction in electricity rates, issued on May 13, was deliberated for two months. The Public Action Committee had announced a boycott of electricity bills until the price was set at PKR 3 per unit.

With the Cabinet’s final approval of the reduced electricity rates, the price per unit for domestic electricity in Azad Kashmir will now be PKR 3. Following the state-wide protests led by the Public Action Committee, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, announced a historic package for Kashmir, which included the approval of PKR 23 billion.

According to the notification issued by the Department of Energy, the price for up to 100 units of electricity will be PKR 3 per kilowatt-hour, while for commercial electricity, the price per unit will be PKR 10 for up to 300 units.

For usage between 100 and 300 units, the price will be PKR 5 per unit, and for usage above 300 units, the price will be PKR 6 per unit. Previously, the price for usage above 300 units was set at PKR 15 per unit.

In the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a PKR 23 billion package for Kashmir was announced, which also included the implementation of a flour subsidy.

Following this, the Department of Food, Azad Kashmir, reduced the current price of a 40-kilogram bag of flour from PKR 3100 by PKR 1100. Now, a 20-kilogram bag of flour is available for PKR 1000, and a 40-kilogram bag is available for PKR 2000. Additionally, there was a reduction of PKR 1100 on a 40-kilogram bag of flour in Azad Kashmir.

After two months of deliberation, the Government of Azad Kashmir has finally approved the reduction in electricity prices, which was notified on July 4, 2024.