The international lender contends that the fiscal consequences will be much higher, surpassing 15 billion rupees.


Islamabad: The negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding an electricity bill relief plan encountered a significant obstacle, the sources in the Ministry of Finance said on Monday.
The initial proposal aimed to provide relief to electricity consumers, with an estimated impact of just under 6 billion rupees.
The IMF, however, rejected this proposal, contending that the fiscal consequences would be much higher, surpassing 15 billion rupees.
The sources said that the IMF requested the Ministry of Finance to bridge this fiscal gap of 15 billion Rupees. Consequently, the Ministry has initiated a review and adjustment of its relief plan, leading to a delay in reaching an agreement.
Following the submission of the revised plan, both IMF officials and representatives from the Ministry of Finance will engage in further discussions.
Besides it, it was assured to the IMF that this commitment to facilitate relief on electricity bills would be duly incorporated into the national budget. A specific request was made to the IMF to expedite the collection of these bills within a condensed four-month timeline.
The sources from the Ministry of Finance indicated that discussions with the IMF would revisit the concept of enabling consumers to pay electricity bills in installments as part of the ongoing negotiations.

Ration distribution turns tragic in Karachi as elderly woman dies in stampede
- 19 hours ago

Iran’s military vows retaliation in response to Trump’s threats
- 21 hours ago

Trump’s attacks on higher ed could provide a chance to reimagine the university
- 11 minutes ago

These new Roombas aren’t the robots I know and love
- 2 hours ago

FIA, IB receive praise from PM for dismantling human trafficking network
- 18 hours ago

Police officer shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in Bannu
- an hour ago

Sindh introduces scholarship and job portal to boost education, employment
- 39 minutes ago

One down, three to go: Chelsea on course for quadruple after League Cup win
- 10 hours ago

Joby will launch UK air taxi service with Virgin Atlantic
- 2 hours ago

Byrd gets first ECU hit 3 years after amputation
- 10 hours ago

A DOGE staffer broke Treasury policy by emailing unencrypted personal data
- 2 hours ago

Sugar prices drop by Rs2 in Karachi wholesale market
- an hour ago