In response to widespread protests against soaring electricity prices in several cities across Pakistan, the caretaker federal government has unveiled a plan to alleviate the burden on the masses. Demonstrations have ongoing in Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Mansehra, Hyderabad, Karachi, and Quetta, with citizens demanding a rollback of recent power tariff hikes and additional taxes.
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had previously assured the public of relief, stating that negotiations were underway with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the situation.
What Does the Relief Plan Entail?
The caretaker administration has devised a relief plan that involves significant reductions in electricity bills for certain categories of consumers:
- Consumers using up to 300 units of electricity will receive a relief of Rs3,000 on their October bills.
- Those with electricity bills up to Rs70,000 will enjoy a substantial reduction of Rs13,000 in their bills.
When Can People Expect Relief?
The government is expected to implement these relief measures in October 2023. This timing coincides with the anticipated decrease in electricity consumption due to changing weather conditions.
Seeking IMF Approval
The interim government has presented its relief plan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for consideration. However, it has reported that the IMF is requesting additional data from the Power Division before making a final decision regarding relief for the months of August and September.
