The Swat Chamber of Commerce has issued a warning, indicating its intention to initiate a civil disobedience movement in response to the high electricity bills and the considerable surge in inflation in the country.
Rahat Ali, President of the Swat Chamber of Commerce, has called upon the government and the affluent members of society to curtail their extravagant expenditures. He emphasized that if their demands are not met, it could lead to the compelled closure of factories.
Caretaker Govt Seeks Permission From The IMF To Provide Relief To The Consumers
Meanwhile, 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 (August 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.
