LAHORE MIRROR — In response to widespread protests and concerns over excessively high electricity bills, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given its approval to a relief proposal aimed at consumers using up to 200 units of electricity, according to sources reported by private TV channel on Thursday.
Sources indicate that the final decision to implement the bill installment plan will be made by the federal cabinet. This initiative is expected to provide temporary relief to approximately 4 million electricity consumers. However, the IMF has rejected the interim government’s plan to extend relief to consumers using up to 400 units of electricity per month, which could have benefited 32 million consumers if approved.
Furthermore, the IMF has stressed the importance of addressing issues related to electricity and gas theft and improving the collection of outstanding bills. Additionally, the Fund has requested an increase in gas tariffs by 45 to 50%, effective from July 1. The approval for this tariff hike is pending the decision of the federal cabinet.
In response to ongoing protests by citizens and traders who are demonstrating against the steep increases in power bills and the imposition of additional taxes, the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Islamabad has been actively working to secure the IMF’s agreement to provide immediate relief to electricity consumers in the financially strained country. The population is already grappling with soaring inflation.
It is crucial to note that Pakistan is currently under an IMF program, and any relief or subsidy requires the approval of the IMF. Both parties have engaged in intense negotiations as citizens continue to take to the streets to voice their grievances regarding inflated power bills.
