Amid nationwide protests against high electricity prices, Pakistan’s caretaker government has ‘planned’ a relief plan for electricity consumers.
People from all walks of life are protesting over rising electricity costs from Karachi to Khyber.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Pakistan has written to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) requesting Rs250 billion in relief from electricity bills.
According to the sources, the strategy was developed by keeping clients who use up to 400 units of electricity each month in mind.
Pakistan has recommended that the recent increase in the basic electricity cost of Rs7 per unit be reversed and phased in later.
Furthermore, Pakistan has asked the IMF for permission to offer installment plans to electricity customers.
According to the sources, the Finance Ministry would provide a written guarantee to the international lender for the collection of debts in installments for August and September.
Earlier on Wednesday, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar ruled out the possibility of extra subsidies within IMF agreements.
In an interview with media in Islamabad, the finance minister expressed the government’s concern for the welfare of the country’s poor, stressing that any exacerbation of problems encountered by the disadvantaged will be avoided.
