By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: January 22, 2026: Senior Vice President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Mr. Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh, has strongly urged the government to immediately reduce electricity prices, warning that Pakistan’s power tariffs have become significantly higher than regional competitors and are now forcing industries to curtail operations and, in many cases, shut down.
Commenting on reports that the power sector circular debt has stood at Rs 1.817 trillion during July–October of CFY 2025–26, Mr. Sheikh said this growing circular debt directly contributes to higher tariffs, ultimately making Pakistani products uncompetitive in local and export markets.
“Electricity prices in Pakistan are already higher than the region. This is severely damaging our industry. Factories are reducing production, laying off workers, and some are closing altogether. If immediate corrective measures are not taken, the economy will face deeper de-industrialization and unemployment,” he stated.
The LCCI SVP stressed that the government must treat energy pricing as a national competitiveness issue. “No country can grow exports or attract investment with such expensive and unpredictable electricity. The cost of doing business has become unbearable. We need urgent tariff rationalization, removal of excessive charges, and a clear roadmap to bring power prices in line with regional benchmarks,” he added.
Mr. Sheikh demanded:
• Immediate reduction in industrial and commercial electricity tariffs to protect jobs and exports
• Rationalization of taxes, duties, and surcharges included in electricity bills
• Loss reduction and recovery reforms in distribution companies (DISCOs) to stop passing inefficiencies onto consumers
• A credible plan to contain circular debt without repeated tariff hikes
• Competitive energy packages for exporters to regain regional market share
He also emphasized that without urgent relief, Pakistan’s industries will continue to face closures, which will reduce tax revenues, worsen unemployment, and weaken overall economic stability.
Mr. Sheikh reiterated that LCCI is ready to engage with the government, NEPRA, and the Ministry of Energy to propose practical reforms that ensure affordability, sustainability, and competitiveness for all productive sectors of the economy.
