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.

TTP camps destroyed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during police operation
- 8 گھنٹے قبل

Gold glitters, historic high in Pakistan
- 8 گھنٹے قبل

Three Khawarij militants killed in Khyber District operation: ISPR
- 2 گھنٹے قبل

PTI to participate in National Security Committee meeting
- 4 گھنٹے قبل
Cricketer Junaid Zafar Khan dies of medical emergency during hot Adelaide match
- 3 گھنٹے قبل

Houthis launch twin attacks on USS Harry Truman
- 8 گھنٹے قبل
Pakistan's tallest man, Nasir Soomro, passes away in Shikarpur
- 4 گھنٹے قبل
Weekend US tornadoes leave at least 40 dead
- 8 گھنٹے قبل
Trump administration begins mass layoffs at Voice of America and US-funded media outlets
- 4 گھنٹے قبل

Pakistan, WB reaffirm commitment to economic reforms and sustainable development
- 3 گھنٹے قبل

Over 220 health facilities at risk of closure in Afghanistan, says WHO
- 3 گھنٹے قبل
Five family members of SHO injured in grenade attack in Khuzdar
- 6 گھنٹے قبل