Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail sharply criticized Pakistan’s new net metering policy.
At a press conference in Karachi, Miftah Ismail criticized Pakistan’s new net metering policy. He expressed concern over the government’s decision to reduce the solar electricity buyback rate to Rs10 per unit, describing this move as unfair. Ismail warned that this change imposes a growing burden on consumers.
Ismail criticized the government’s inconsistent policies: “Shehbaz Sharif promoted solar adoption, but now penalizes those who embraced it.” As more individuals move away from grid electricity towards solar energy, the government perceives this shift as a threat.
Summary of Miftah Ismail’s statement on attempts to impede solarisation in Pakistan:
– the Pakistani government has deemed electricity purchased from solar net metering users too expensive @ 27 PKR per unit, while selling it @ 60 PKR per unit.
– the same government has no… pic.twitter.com/3HIyjYFG9j
— Ilhan Niaz (@IlhanNiaz) March 20, 2025Ismail accused more than two dozen decision-makers of making poor choices that have led to increased costs. He urged Sharif to disclose who approved the expensive power plants, attributing the issue to greed.
Net Metering Stance vs. ECC Changes
Ismail alleged that the government violated net metering agreements by imposing a 10% tax on solar energy transactions.
Read: Pakistan Solar Association Warns Against Net Metering Changes
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved a reduction in the National Average Power Purchase Price (NAPPP). This decision is intended to alleviate grid consumers’ costs as solar energy use increases. NEPRA now has the authority to adjust the rates periodically. However, Ismail argues that the problem is costly power plants, not the solar energy sector.
