Key Points
- Prime Minister directs the government to file a review petition with the autonomous regulator Nepra
- Government aims to safeguard solar expansion alongside national grid viability
- Debate over net metering spreads from parliament to the public sphere
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the government to file a review petition with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) following widespread debate over newly issued solar regulations.
Chairing an emergent meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to balance renewable energy growth with the financial stability of the national grid.
The Prime Minister’s intervention came after the regulatory changes triggered strong reactions from lawmakers, industry participants, and consumers, with the discussion echoing from parliament to broader public forums.
Analysts say the episode highlights the growing policy sensitivity surrounding Pakistan’s rapidly expanding rooftop solar market.
Officials clarified that existing net metering contracts are already protected under the new framework until their expiry, helping preserve investor confidence and regulatory continuity.
However, the premier emphasised the importance of ensuring that future policy directions simultaneously support clean energy adoption and protect grid-dependent consumers from disproportionate cost pressures.
Given Nepra’s status as an autonomous regulator, the federal government cannot overturn its determinations. Instead, the Prime Minister instructed the Power Division to formally seek a review, allowing the regulator to reassess aspects of the framework through the prescribed legal and institutional process.
The Prime Minister called for a comprehensive strategy that promotes solar energy without undermining the viability of the power distribution system serving over 37.6 million consumers. Nearly 466,000 users currently benefit from solar net metering.
The controversy centres on adjustments widely interpreted as recalibrating incentives within the net metering regime, a policy that has significantly accelerated rooftop solar adoption in recent years as households and businesses sought relief from elevated electricity costs and supply uncertainties.
Officials briefed the meeting on the potential economic and operational implications of the regulations, with discussions focusing on maintaining tariff fairness, ensuring sustainable sector finances, and avoiding market disruptions during Pakistan’s broader energy transition.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, and other senior officials.
Observers note that the government’s decision to pursue a review rather than direct intervention reflects adherence to regulatory independence, a factor closely watched by investors and international partners.
