ISLAMABAD – A crucial meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) would take place today as the government is expected to deliberate on the increase in electricity tariff which is on the top of the agenda for the huddle.
The political analysts believe that the Imran Khan-led regime can delay the hike for at least fifteen days owing to upcoming by-elections, though a final decision in this regard would be made by the body under the chair of Finance Minister, Asad Umar.
The ECC meets to take up a four-point agenda besides the tariff hike, including an update on K-Electric shares purchase by Shanghai Electric Power Company Ltd, revision in cess rates of tobacco for the year 2018-19 and a report on LNG terminals.
Well-placed sources claim that the PTI candidates contesting the by-elections due on Oct 14 had complained Prime Minister Imran Khan that a slew of unpopular decisions by the government within 45 days in office could cost them in by-elections.
The sources said the government decision not to increase the prices of petroleum products, despite a summary by the OGRA, was also mainly because of the very reason.
The sources say the ECC would take up the power tariff rationalization plan envisaging about Rs2 unit increase as it did many times before but a final announcement would be delayed to avoid an adverse impact on by-elections.
