IMF seeks written plan from Pakistan on electricity bill relief

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has formally requested a written plan from Pakistan’s finance ministry following the caretaker government’s proposal to provide relief to power consumers contingent upon the IMF’s approval.

Amid ongoing nationwide protests over escalated electricity bills, the federal cabinet convened on Tuesday, refraining from an immediate announcement of relief measures for the populace grappling with inflation. The cabinet has opted to seek explicit endorsement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prior to greenlighting any potential solutions.

Sources within the Finance Ministry reveal that Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar engaged in discussions with IMF representative Easter Prez to deliberate on potential remedies for the burden of electricity bills.

As part of these discussions, the IMF has formally requested a comprehensive written strategy outlining the proposed relief measures for electricity bills.

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Insiders indicate that the Finance Ministry is poised to deliver the detailed plan to the IMF by tonight. Notably, the Federal Cabinet has unequivocally tied the implementation of relief measures for electricity consumers to the approval of the IMF.

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi, who attended the cabinet meeting, conveyed that the government intends to announce its decision subsequent to securing the IMF’s concurrence in the coming hours.

In a statement released by his office on Tuesday night, he confirmed Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar’s ongoing dialogue with IMF officials regarding the matter.

The minister acknowledged that several proposals were tabled and subsequently endorsed during the cabinet meeting. He underlined the imperative nature of involving the IMF in pivotal decisions.