Power consumers will have to pay bills, says PM Kakar

On Thursday, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated clearly that power customers must pay their bills.

“The agreements in connection with line losses, power theft, and independent power producers (IPPs) are the root cause of the power crisis,” Prime Minister Kakar told journalists.

“The caretaker government was in contact with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in order to reduce the power tariff for consumers,” he continued.

He committed to providing power customers with relief from their excessive rates within 48 hours.

In relation to the general elections, Prime Minister Kakar stated, “The polls will be held on time.”

PM Kakar slammed his opponents, saying, “Those who created problems in the country are now telling the solution to the problems.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the caretaker government agreed to seek approval from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before reducing electricity costs.

According to reports, Prime Minister Kakar presided over a cabinet meeting to consider issues related to offering relief to the populace from expensive power costs.

The recommendations were made in connection with offering relief from inflated electricity costs to home and business power consumers.

The cabinet referred the topic over to the Energy Division and decided to seek prior clearance from the IMF, and the relief would be announced only with IMF agreement.

The cabinet could not reach an agreement on implementing the monetization policy of eliminating free electricity.

The cabinet also authorised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Belarus and Saudi Arabia.

Aside from that, the cabinet delegated the matter of outsourcing Islamabad airport to the steering committee during the meeting.

On Monday, Caretaker Power Minister Muhammad Ali committed to offer the people with the most respite possible from rising electricity rates.

Mr Ali stated, “The consultations have been made to lessen the burden on power consumers.”

The minister stated unequivocally that the decision on power bills will be made in conformity with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.