Interim government aims to ease burden of rising electricity prices.
The caretaker government wants to give users who use up to 300 units of energy in their electricity bills for October a relief of Rs3,000, according to the sources.
In addition, clients who pay power bills between Rs60,000 and Rs70,000 will receive a significant break through a decrease of up to Rs13,000.
Additionally, insiders have revealed ongoing conversations between the interim administration and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) considering assistance programs for power users.
The News said that the Washington-based global lender has requested additional information from the Power Division in order to make a decision regarding the numerous proposals made to the Fund in order to obtain respite from the increased bills for August and September.
Some top sources involved with the IMF told the publication, “We have shared the necessary data with the Fund people in the hope that IMF may today (Monday) come up with its response with a yes or no to the assertions of the Finance and Power Divisions, seeking permission for relief to inflation-struck people in electricity bills.
Authorities from the Power and Finance divisions are presently engaged in frantic discussions with representatives from the Fund about information pertaining to suggested measures for relief in power tariffs and their potential impact on circular debt, cash flow, and additional delays to IPPs, ultimately making the power sector more unsustainable.
The caretaker government in Islamabad, led by Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, has been attempting to persuade the international lender to agree to provide immediate relief for electricity consumers in the cash-strapped nation, where people are already suffering from skyrocketing inflation. This comes in response to ongoing protests by citizens and traders who have taken to the streets against the exorbitant hikes in power bills and addition of taxes.
