Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD2996
2008-09-11 13:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT POWER TARIFF INCREASE

Tags:  ECON ETRD EAID EFIN ENGY PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002996 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAID EFIN ENGY PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT POWER TARIFF INCREASE

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002996

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EAID EFIN ENGY PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT POWER TARIFF INCREASE


1. (SBU) Summary: On September 9 the Government of Pakistan (GOP)
announced a 31 percent average increase in the electricity tariff
for domestic customers to go into effect the first week of October.
The GOP also changed pricing rules for the tiered tariff structure.
Electricity prices for domestic consumers are thus set to increase
between 16 and 65 percent, depending on consumer usage. The GOP
intends to raise electricity tariffs by another 30 percent before
the end of the GOP's FY08-09, completely eliminating electricity
subsidies. Industry and commercial tariffs will also rise, though
the rates of increase have not yet been announced. This
unprecedented tariff hike, while a significant step towards
eliminating electrical subsidies and reviving Pakistan's utility
sector, will represent a major challenge to Pakistani citizens,
businesses, and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP)-led Government.
Time will tell whether or not such a tough reform measure - the most
significant increase in electricity rates ever in Pakistan's history
- was too much, too soon. End summary.


2. (SBU) In June, the GOP raised electricity rates by 16 percent by
imposing a general sales tax on power consumption. The June
increase, coupled with the September 9 announcement, places the
average total increase in Pakistan's power tariff at 47 percent.


3. (SBU) The GOP said it will completely eliminate electrical
subsidies by the end of the GOP's FY08-09. This first phase increase
runs between 16 and 65 percent, averaging about 31 percent,
depending on consumer usage. In the second phase, the GOP plans to
raise tariffs by another 30 percent by the end of the GOP's fiscal
year in June 2009. Ministry of Water and Power sources told the
Embassy Economic Section the GOP will release a 150-page official
notification regarding the tariff hike later this week.


4. (SBU) Based on Pakistan's tiered pricing structure, customers who
consume less pay less, while customers with higher consumption rates
pay more. Along with rate increases, the GOP changed tiered pricing
rules. Consumers will now be charged one rate based on total
consumption. In the past, customers in higher tiers were charged
lower tier rates until reaching a certain point of consumption,
above which they were then charged the next higher tier rate.


5. (SBU) Comment: Other governments, the International Monetary Fund
(IMF),and the World Bank for months have been urging the GOP to
take action to reduce electricity subsidies in the face of the GOP's
rapidly worsening balance of payments situation. While the new rate
hike is one of the most significant steps the GOP has taken to
eliminate subsidies, it will increase costs for Pakistani
manufacturers and negatively impact revenue by making Pakistani
exports less competitive in the world market.


6. (SBU) Comment Continued: This economic reform measure may also
represent a major political challenge to the PPP government.
Average Pakistani workers and families face a 16 percent or 65
percent increase, depending on their rate of consumption. Even the
poorest consumers will have to pay 20 percent or 47 percent more,
depending on how much they consume. Moreover, the increased tariff
comes at a moment when millions of Pakistanis continue to suffer
from long periods of load-shedding, albeit somewhat less than was
the case a few weeks ago. Thus, they are being asked to pay
dramatically more for a nearly non-existent service. Public
reaction thus far has been marked by confusion and dismay, in part
because the media are reporting inconsistent information about the
price hikes. We may see greater public outcry once the full impact
of the hike becomes widely known. Sanctioning the most significant
increase in electricity rates ever during Ramadan and at a time when
inflation is running at a record high is politically risky. End
comment.

PATTERSON