IMF Has Not Contacted Punjab Government Regarding Electricity Bill Relief: Punjab Information Minister

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has stated that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not made any contact with either the federal or provincial government regarding relief measures for electricity bills. Bukhari mentioned in her statement that the IMF has not issued any written or official press release on the matter, advising media to avoid speculating about national affairs.
It is notable that the IMF has demanded the termination of a subsidy on electricity bills, which was set to provide a relief of 14 Pakistani Rupees per unit, by September 30. The IMF has also imposed three new conditions for the continuation of a new loan program.
Due to these IMF conditions, the Punjab government’s 700 billion rupee project to provide solar panels in installments to consumers is now at risk. Official sources informed Express Tribune that following the Punjab government’s announcement of a two-month subsidy of 14 rupees per unit on electricity bills, the IMF has imposed these stringent new conditions. Under these conditions, no provincial government will be allowed to offer such subsidies during the IMF’s 37-month, 7 billion dollar loan program.