As per official sources, the National Electric Power and Regulatory Authority (Nepra) had sent the decision to the government to increase the base power tariff by Rs5.72 per unit for the current financial year.

The hike in the base power tariff will be implemented from July 1, 2024.

With the increase, the base power tariff will be increased from Rs29.78 to Rs35.50 per unit.

Also read: Base power tariff likely to increase by over Rs5 per unit

On the other hand, fuel filling stations will be shut down all over the country as the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has announced a nationwide strike on July 5 against the imposition of a 0.5 percent advance tax.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said that a PPDA delegation would hold talks with the petroleum minister, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman, finance secretary and other high officials in Islamabad and convey the body’s grievances the government authorities.

He said that the PPDA officeholders would try to convince the government s high officials to withdraw this advance tax. If they refuse to withdraw the decision, filling stations would be shut down all over the country, he warned.

The PPDA chairman said the petroleum dealers were facing a huge burden of taxes while the cost of doing business was also increasing massively. He maintained that they were unable to continue their businesses in this environment.

Flanked by PPDA office-bearers Malik Khuda Bukhsh, and Anwar Kamal, the chairman also warned that the strike might be extended for a long period if their demands were not accepted.

They unanimously demanded the government should immediately withdraw the advance tax decision.