Govt removes free electricity benefits for power employees

Power Minister Awais Leghari on Friday announced that the federal government has formally ended the long-controversial facility of free electricity units for power sector employees following a court-backed decision.

Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti delivered the verdict, which Leghari has called a historic reform in Pakistan’s energy sector. Leghari said this is the first time in the country’s history that free electricity units granted to power officials and WAPDA employees have been officially abolished.

He stated that the court accepted the Power Division’s petition, clearing the way to stop this long‑standing privilege. The government had framed the move as a public demand, especially at a time when ordinary households face rising electricity bills and frequent load‑shedding.

The minister described the decision as a major step toward fairness and structural reform in the power sector. He highlighted that the removal of free units was one of the oldest and most persistent requests from citizens, and the current government has now fulfilled it under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Leghari also said the government remains committed to bringing positive change for the country and the people. He added that future energy reforms will focus on transparency, better financial discipline, and relief for consumers. The court’s ruling supports the government’s position that such benefits cannot be treated as permanent entitlements and must align with broader public‑interest reforms in the energy sector.