Stating categorically that the incidents of power theft were not tolerable, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari said on Monday that electricity rates would become much cheaper by next year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a press conference in Multan, Leghari said the government was going to introduce reforms in the energy sector. “We are holding negotiations with the independent power producers over the issue of capacity payments.”

He vowed to ensure that the consumers should get complete relief of Rs45 billion, which the Punjab government had given to them by announcing a reduction in electricity bills by Rs14 per unit.

He claimed that never in the country’s history, so much work had been done in the energy sector which had been done since he was the minister.

He informed that the government also planned to install pre-paid meters.

 Reporter: Bilal Younus