ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet of Pakistan has failed to make a unanimous decision to provide immediate relief to power consumers on inflated electricity bills, a local news channel reported citing sources.
According to media reports, the federal cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar concluded without making any decision on relief to the masses on high electricity bills.
The federal cabinet discussed that the IMF agreement should be consulted on this issue citing it as the main obstacle in providing relief to the power consumers on electricity bills, media reports added.
Earlier on Monday, Energy Minister Muhammad Ali called on Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and discussed the overall situation following the citizens received inflated electricity bills. They deliberated on various options to ensure relief to the electricity consumers.
The Prime Minister called another session which was attended by the representatives of the power distribution companies and the Ministry of Water and Power.
On Sunday, PM Kakar gave a two-day deadline to form a strategy amid public outrage over hikes in electricity prices.
Meetings on Inflated Electricity Bills
In the emergency meeting called over the high electricity prices, the premier was briefed on the hike in electricity bills for the month of July.
The premier said such steps should be taken, which will not increase the burden on the national exchequer, and provide relief to the consumers.
PM Kakar directed that short, medium, and long-term plans and power sector reforms should be presented at the earliest. He ordered the concerned ministries to provide complete details of the institutions and officers using the free electricity.
During the meeting, it was decided that consultation on the issue of inflated bills and implementation of energy-saving measures would be discussed with the chief ministers.
People across the country are protesting against the increased electricity bills to put pressure on the government for immediate relief.
The protesters have been demanding that the federal government should immediately end the provision of free electricity to officers and provide them relief as the electricity bills, they have been receiving are more than their salaries.
