Islamabad
The Caretaker government could not give any relief to the people who came out on the streets against the increase in electricity bills.
The federal cabinet meeting was held last day under the chairmanship of caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar.
Owing to the terms and conditions of the IMF agreement, a decision could not be taken to provide relief in bills to consumers in the form of subsidy.
It has been decided to collect dues in six installments from the consumers using up to 400 units of electricity after IMF’s consent.
In the meeting, the possible relief in electricity bills for the month of July was reviewed.
According to the sources, the Ministry of Finance took a stand in the meeting that it is not possible to provide relief to the people in the form of subsidy on electricity due to the IMF agreement.
The Energy Division presented various options to provide relief to the people in the cabinet meeting.
According to the sources, it was agreed in the meeting that the bills will be collected in installments during the next six months from the consumers using up to 400 units of electricity, but this will be possible only with the consent of the IMF.
The Cabinet directed the Energy Division to fix the procedure. While, WAPDA could not decide on the free electricity units given to employees of distribution companies and related institutions.
According to the sources, the issue of outsourcing of Islamabad Airport was entrusted to the steering committee.
According to the sources, the federal cabinet approved the signing of the agreement with the Hong Kong Examination Authority, the memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on vocational training, and the memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Belarus. The Federal Cabinet has approved the extension of the tenure of the Chairman Evacuee Trust.
