Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghaus-Pasha on Wednesday assured the public that the government would ensure that the wealthy and privileged sections of the country bear the maximum burden of any increased power tariff.
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) policy-level talks with the Finance Ministry are underway and will conclude on Thursday (February 9).
Dr. Ghaus-Pasha claimed the burden of IMF conditions would not be put on the country’s layman; rather, the rich would be made to share the maximum load of the increased electricity tariff.
She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had given approval to all the decisions in this regard.
Minister hopeful of early deal with IMF
She is hopeful that the government and IMF will conclude the deal soon. Islamabad still awaits the Memorandum for Economic and Financial Policies (MEFP) draft, with only a day left for the talks to conclude.
The multilateral creditor asked Pakistan to cut the development budget and ensure an increase in revenue and tax collection targets.
Pakistan and the IMF are holding talks to complete the 9th program review, and its successful culmination can unlock a $1.1 billion loan tranche.
