ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar on Thursday announced that his government will announce a relief plan in electricity bills in the next 48 hours, which has led to nationwide protests.
This assurance was given by the Interim Prime Minister in a conversation with senior journalists at the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM Kakar said that his government conducted a detailed review of the electricity bills of the last two months. All the institutions were asked how much free electricity they were using, he added, adding that the problem of electricity bills was being exaggerated.
“Electricity bills will have to be paid and IMF [International Monetary Fund] conditions will be implemented,” the caretaker prime minister said.
He added that the reason for the high electricity bills was IPPs and line losses. We are working with the IMF and looking into the issue of electricity bills. There is inflation but not enough to call for a shutter down strike.
He also said, “We have taken notice of the free electricity units [given to government departments and officials].”
He assured that no one in the army is using the free electricity bill and it is being paid from the defense budget.
The Caretaker Prime Minister also clarified that he was also told that no one is being given free electricity in the Judiciary. He further said that even in WAPDA only few employees from grade 1 to 16 are getting free electricity facility while most of the officers above grade 17 are getting free electricity units.
“Our view is that most employees in grades 1-16 are protesting. Officers in grades 17-22 have been advised to provide money instead of free electricity.
“We have asked all the stakeholders to come up with a policy within 48 hours,” PM Kakar said.
Regarding the upcoming general elections, he assured that the elections will be held on time but also clarified that it is the authority of the Election Commission of Pakistan and they are there to help.
“I am not a constitutional expert but until the Supreme Court gives its interpretation [on the law], the law that has been passed will be followed. We will respect whatever the Supreme Court decides on the election date.” The Prime Minister said.
Angry citizens, worried about the already skyrocketing inflation, are taking to the streets to protest against the exorbitant increase in electricity rates and increase in taxes across the country.
Participants in these protests include members of civil society – both men and women – traders, farmers, and members of the legal and business community.
Earlier today, traders across the country staged protests against a massive hike in electricity rates as the caretaker government expressed its inability to provide relief due to tough IMF conditions.
Many traders’ associations in various cities including Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Wahari, Peshawar are on shutter down strike to force the government to give relief in bills.
Govt mulls allowing consumers to pay electricity bills in instalments
Meanwhile, the press conference came hours after it was reported that the caretaker government was considering allowing inflation-affected people with bills of up to 400 units to pay their dues in six-month installments between high electricity bills. Is.
Presiding over a cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister considered proposals to provide relief to the public in the wake of nationwide protests against high electricity bills.
During the meeting, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar briefed the session on the ongoing talks with the IMF as the Washington-based lender’s conditions are widely considered to be the main factor behind sky-high energy tariffs.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the current economic indicators as well as various other issues including the need for concrete measures against smuggling and illegal foreign exchange rackets in light of the already weak and depreciating rupee.
