Mathar Niaz Rana, the Member (Tariff and Finance) of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) from Balochistan, unexpectedly resigned on Friday and sent his resignation to the Prime Minister’s Office, raising questions about future decisions in the energy sector.
According to people familiar with the situation, the regulator’s capacity to carry out important decisions, such as the government’s proposal to lower electricity rates, may be called into question by the sudden departure, ProPakistani reported.
Speaking under anonymity, the official disclosed that the Member Tariff and Finance, who is crucial to NEPRA’s decision-making process, had not been showing up for work on a regular basis for the previous two months. The person claimed that “he was in and out, on leave or overseas travel.” He has now formally disengaged from the regulatory process through his resignation.
The resignation coincides with significant power sector reforms being implemented by the government, notably the much-awaited decision to lower electricity rates by Rs. 7.41 per unit, which was pushed by the prime minister’s office to relieve consumer inflationary pressure.
In the upcoming months, further significant decisions are anticipated, such as the long-delayed multi-year tariff determination for K-Electric and other important pricing frameworks for generation and distribution businesses. According to the source, it’s regrettable, particularly since the government is about to embark on a phase in which sector changes and energy pricing will determine the economic course for the ensuing three to four years.
