Relief to the consumers
ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government has decided to approach the IMF today to get approval for providing relief to the consumers.
The government has taken this decision in the wake of mass protests in the country against the inflated bills.
The officials of the Finance will send a request to the IMF seeking relief for the consumers.
People are protesting against inflated bills. Govt seeks permission from the IMF to provide relief to the consumers.
Meanwhile, the caretaker government officials have been holding meetings for the past three consecutive days to find a solution to inflated bills.
However, till Wednesday (Aug 30), the government could not do anything because of an agreement with the IMF.
Amid ongoing countrywide protests against inflated electricity bills, the federal cabinet held another important meeting on Tuesday (August 29). The government, nonetheless, could not announce relief for the masses.
Instead, the government decided to seek approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before moving forward with any proposal. Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar presided over the cabinet meeting.
The meeting discussed various proposals to provide relief to consumers using up to 400 units per month. This relief will be given for August and September.
After attending the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Murtaza Solangi stated that the government would announce its decision soon.
Moreover, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar was in contact with IMF officials regarding this matter.
The minister highlighted that various proposals were discussed in the cabinet meeting, and some of them received approval.
Murtaza Solangi emphasized that involving the IMF was essential for certain decisions.
The federal cabinet meeting lasted approximately two hours and approved some of the proposals presented by the Power Division. As per the decision made by the federal cabinet, power tariffs would not be reduced.
However, consumers using up to 400 units per month for August and September would receive relief through adjustments over the next six months. The cabinet expressed significant concern over the nationwide demonstrations against electricity bills.
Simultaneously, it acknowledged that the government’s actions were constrained due to the IMF agreement.
