WAPDA employees protest for continuity of free electricity

LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Employees Union staged a protest in Lahore on Thursday, demanding the continuation of free electricity facilities for WAPDA employees.

The protest was held after sources claimed that the caretaker government is considering ending the free electricity facility for WAPDA employees.

WAPDA Employees Union President Shahid Hameed threatened that the union would stage a “strong” protest if the free electricity facility was revoked.

He also demanded to end all the taxes slapped on the bill and end political ‘interference’ in the sector.

Separately, WAPDA and the Ministry of Water Resources have opposed the termination of free electricity unit facilities for the employees of electricity companies, according to a report by Jang News.

Read more: Govt ends free electricity benefit for higher grade employees

As per the Ministry of Water, there would be no savings by removing the free units, as the cost of electricity is already subsidized by the government. They also argued that the free units are a way to attract and retain skilled employees in the power sector.