The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rejected the proposal of the government of Pakistan to give relief to the consumers of up to 400 units of electricity, while the IMF has agreed on relaxation for the consumers of electricity with 200 units, but demanded increase in gas prices.
According to the sources, there was a communication between Pakistan and IMF officials on the issue of providing relief to consumers on electricity bills. The IMF rejected the proposal to give relief to consumers of up to 400 units of electricity, but agreed to collect bills from consumers consuming up to 200 units of electricity in installments.
Sources said that the final approval to receive bills in installments will be taken from the federal cabinet’s approval, with this initiative, about 4 million electricity consumers are likely to get temporary relief, while 32 million consumers will benefit in the form of relief up to 400 units. Sources said that the IMF urged the Pakistani authorities to crack down on electricity and gas thieves and improve recovery. Whereas the IMF demanded an increase in gas tariffs from 45 to 50 percent from July 1. The increase is subject to the approval of the federal cabinet.
It should be remembered that yesterday Energy Secretary Rashid Langriyal was said in a statement that the crackdown against electricity thieves has started from today, all chief secretaries and IG police are cooperating in the crackdown, we know that this campaign against thieves is not easy. Secretary Energy said that the field formation has been instructed to take action against electricity thieves without discrimination.
