Captive power levy sparks Senate clash
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz engaged in a heated debate on Thursday over a money bill proposing an "off-the-grid" levy on gas-based captive power plants.
The exchange took place after Senator Anusha Rahman, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla, presented the committee's report on the Off The Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Bill, 2025 in the house.
Opposing the bill, Fraz argued that imposing a levy on captive power plants would negatively impact not only industries but also housing societies that depend on them. He warned that the added cost would hurt industrial growth.
In response, Law Minister Tarar said that electricity prices had dropped by Rs10 per unit in the past two months. He added that the decision to impose the levy was made after thorough deliberation by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
"Re-negotiation has been carried out with three power plants, and all the things have been discussed in the standing committee," Tarar told Faraz. "I was hoping that the opposition leader would himself attend the committee meetings on the matter," he added.
Tarar said that captive power plants earned significant profits over their cost, adding that poor people were also taken into consideration while drafting the policy.
Faraz, meanwhile, insisted that with the imposition of the levy, electricity for industries will become expensive. "Unemployment will increase due to the high cost of electricity for industries."
He then addressed directly to the minister, saying: "Talk about the captive power plants, instead of my presence in the committee meeting.
While presenting the report, Anusha Rehman said that the recommendations on the money bill had been approved unanimously by the standing committee. She said that the Senate's recommendations would also be sent to the National Assembly Secretariat.
Earlier, the Senate Committee on Finance met with Anusha Rehman in the chair. During the meeting, Petroleum Secretary Momin Agha told the committee members that the government wanted to transfer captive power plants to the electricity grid.
While giving a briefing on the bill, the additional finance secretary said that 70% of captive plants were in Sindh. After a detailed review, the chair ruled that this bill was passed unanimously and recommendations would be sent to the house.
Meanwhile, four committee reports were also presented in the Senate. Senator Shahadat Awan, on behalf of Farooq Naek, chairman of Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the report on The Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Chairperson Senator Bushra Anjum Butt presented the report on The Nexus International University of Health Emerging Sciences and Technologies, Islamabad Bill, 2025.
Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar laid before the Senate the Annual Reports of the National Commission for Human Rights for the years 2023 and 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Sacrifice pool prices rise in line with animal costs
The cost of each share of collective or pool sacrifice has also increased with the hike in the price of the sacrificial animals. Bulls, cows and camels have seven shares in sacrifice for the Eidul Azha. While many households buy their own animals and distribute the share among family and friends, others choose to pool the sacrifice with local mosques or welfare organisations to fulfil the religious obligation. Due to the high cost of sacrificial animals, it is becoming difficult for many people to perform the Sunnah of Ibrahim on an individual level. That is why there has been an increase in the trend of collective sacrifice on Eidul Azha in Karachi this year. Imran-ul-Haq, the administrator of a welfare organisation that conducts collective sacrifices, informed The Express Tribune that sacrificial animals are being sold at exorbitantly high prices this year. He said that people who bought a heifer for less than Rs100,000 and a goat for around Rs30,000 last year, have found it difficult to sacrifice individually this Eidul Azha. That is why a large number of citizens are opting for collective sacrifice. He said that due to the high cost of animals, the share of collective sacrifice has also increased from Rs3,000 to Rs10,000. He said that various madaris, mosques and welfare organisations have introduced various packages of collective sacrifice. The share which was Rs20,000 to Rs25,000 or less last year has increased to Rs28,000 or more this year.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Conflict with India: Gilani praises Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy
ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani took centre stage on Thursday in a high-stakes diplomatic sit-down with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott – pitching Pakistan as a peace-driven, climate-hit, and investment-hungry nation eager to deepen relations with the UK. Calling himself 'a man of peace,' Gilani praised Britain's behind-the-scenes diplomacy for easing tensions between nuclear neighbours Pakistan and India during the recent four-day clash between the two archrivals. With Marriott nodding along, Gilani pressed the UK to double down on its counter-terror cooperation and back efforts to stamp out extremism and cross-border threats – code for trouble brewing from across the Indian border. Gilani didnot mince words, once again calling for a UN-backed peaceful resolution to the decades-old flashpoint of Kashmir dispute, while urging London to use its diplomatic muscle. Gilani also flashed Pakistan's humanitarian credentials, reminding the world Pakistan has hosted more than three million Afghan refugees over the years – and is still footing the bill. He pleaded for global help in fixing what he called a simmering refugee crisis. On the green front, Gilani sounded the climate alarm. With Pakistan battered by floods, droughts, and rising temperatures, he pitched partnerships with Britain on everything from clean energy to disaster response. On trade, Gilani said that the £4.1 billion in annual volume barely scratches the surface of what Pakistan and the UK could achieve, urging both sides to unlock the 'untapped goldmine' of economic potential. He called for fresh trade deals, a surge in UK investment, and faster, friendlier student and work visas, saying it is time to supercharge academic links and crank up economic engines on both sides. Cybersecurity, defence, intelligence, training – Gilani put them all on the table during his meeting with Marriott, sketching out what he dubbed a 'dynamic and forward-looking' UK-Pakistan partnership. Marriott, for her part, gave a diplomatic thumbs-up, praising the 'constructive dialogue' and pledging Britain's full-throttle support for a safer, greener, and more prosperous Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Cattle traders draw public rage
With Eid-ul-Adha approaching, cattle markets across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are bustling with activity. However, the exorbitant prices and absence of proper health measures in these markets has raised concerns among buyers and animal health experts alike. Peshawar's district administration has officially designated two major cattle markets for the festive season, with one on the Ring Road and the other in Lala Kalay. These markets draw livestock from across the country, including Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and various other regions of Punjab. However, traders bringing in animals sell them at significantly high prices, often without regulatory oversight. Muhammad Haroon Khan, a resident of Peshawar who visited the Ring Road market to purchase a sacrificial animal, told The Express Tribune that livestock prices have skyrocketed over the past one year. "A regular-sized animal that would cost around Rs2 to 3 lakhs last year is now priced between Rs3 to 5 lakhs. Even smaller animals like sheep and goats are selling for Rs1 to 5 lakhs each. The administration charges Rs1,500 per animal from the traders, yet provides no veterinary check-ups or relief for the public. There are no veterinarians on-site to assess the animals' health," claimed Khan. Naeemullah Khan, another visitor from Peshawar, echoed similar concerns. "There is no price regulation. Each seller demands whatever price they want, with some asking up to Rs10 lakh for a small animal. The government should implement a check and balance system. The Livestock Department has resources, but where is their performance? If the department were to invest in developing local livestock farms and supporting dairy farming within the province, it would not only create employment but also ensure affordable animals are available for Eid each year. This would also boost the provincial economy," noted Naemullah. On the other side of the rift are the livestock traders. Ramzan Ali, a cattle trader, who brought animals from Multan to Peshawar, defended the high prices. "There's a narrative in the media that traders are exploiting buyers, but the reality is different. We ourselves have purchased these animals at very high prices. We are not in the business for losses; we only seek fair profit. Rising operational costs including fuel prices, transport expenses, and labour charges have all gone up. If the government can reduce fuel costs or standardize transport fares, the prices of animals will naturally decrease," explained Ali. When approached for a comment, a senior official from the Livestock Department, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the department had taken steps to ensure animal welfare in the markets. "We have assigned a veterinary doctor and a disinfection spray team to each market. If an animal is found sick, free medicines are provided. Banners with hygiene guidelines have been placed around the cattle markets, and public awareness campaigns are underway to educate people on preventing the spread of diseases, including the potentially fatal Congo virus. So far, no cases have been reported in K-P this season, but we are actively working to raise awareness and keep the public informed," said the official, who maintained that despite limited resources, the Livestock Department was striving to provide as many services as possible. As the countdown to Eid-ul-Adha continues, citizens remain hopeful that better regulation and government oversight will make the festive sacrifice more accessible and safer for everyone.
