In compliance with another condition of the International Monitory Fund (IMF), the Federal Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the basic electricity tariff by Rs5.72 per unit.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, after this approval, the power tariff has now risen from Rs29.78 per unit to Rs35.50 per unit.
The sources said the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had requested an average increase of Rs5.72 in the basic tariff following the demand of the IMF.
As per the channel report, the increase in the price of electricity is set for the current fiscal year, with the additional amount to be paid starting from July 1.
The 24NewsHD TV channel reported yesterday that the IMF is reportedly satisfied with the measures the government has taken for the improvement of the country’s economy.
Quoting its sources, the channel reported that during virtual talks between Pakistan and the IMF, the government informed the latter about difficult steps it had taken to meet its demands.
They disclosed that an important development was expected towards the end of the ongoing month as far as the new loan programme for Pakistan was concerned, and the volume of the programme, which would be for a three-year period, could be between $6 billion and $8 billion.
Sources explained that the government was also taking steps to fulfill other conditions including increase in power tarriff set by the Fund.
On the other hand, the bureaucrats of Punjab have refused to disclose their assets as was asked by the IMF.
Sources told 24News that showing their concerns, the officials had conveyed to the S&GAD and Finance Department that they simply could not make the information related to their properties public.
The international money lending organization had sought details of the assets of Punjab government officers, from grade-17 to grade-22.
Sources said that the concerned departments had conveyed the officers’ concerns to the Punjab government.
Reporter: Awais Kiyani