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4 million electricity consumers likely to get temporary relief under new plan

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1 year ago

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  • Final approval to collect bills in installments to be taken from cabinet.
  • 32 million consumers could have benefited if relief was granted up to 400 units.
  • Fund demands increase of 45 to 50% in gas tariff from July 1: sources.

ISLAMABAD: Following intense talks regarding inflated electricity bills amid countrywide protests, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) greenlit the relief proposal for consumers using up to 200 units, allowing the authorities to collect electricity bills in installments, sources told Geo News Thursday.

“The final approval to collect bills in installments will be taken from the federal cabinet,” the sources said, adding that about 4 million electricity consumers are likely to get temporary relief from this initiative.

However, the interim government’s plan to provide relief to those consuming up to 400 units of electricity per month was rejected by the Fund, the sources said, adding 32 million consumers could have benefited had this proposal been approved.

They added that the Washington-based lender had emphasised the need to crack down on electricity and gas thieves and improve recovery.

Moreover, the sources said that the Fund had also demanded an increase of 45 to 50% in gas tariff from July 1. However, the hike in gas tariff is subject to the approval of the federal cabinet.

Following continuous protests by citizens and traders, who have taken to the streets against the exorbitant hikes in power bills and addition of taxes, the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar-led setup in Islamabad has been trying to woo the global lender to agree to provide immediate relief for electricity consumers in the cash-strapped country, where people are already battered by skyrocketing inflation.

It is important to note that the South Asian nation is under an IMF programme and any relief or subsidy is subject to its approval.

Both sides have been engaged in intense talks as people took to the streets to protest the inflated power bills.

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The Founder of PTI Is A Jewish Lobby Project: Defence Minister

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20 hours ago

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The PTI’s originator, according to Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, is a Jewish lobby effort.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif claimed in a special interview that Israel is committing the genocide of innocent Palestinians.

According to him, neither the PTI’s founder nor his adherents speak out against Israel’s cruelty and crimes against defenceless Palestinians.

The Minister of Defence claimed that reports from Israeli media have demonstrated how crucial the PTI founder is to Zionist Forces’ goals.

Time has shown why PTI was started, according to the defence minister.

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SIFC Promotes Petroleum Division’s Advancement: Minerals and Mining Division’s Operations

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20 hours ago

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With assistance from the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the Petroleum Division has made great strides in recent weeks.

At the upcoming conference, the Petroleum Division is expected to provide a cohesive position on Pakistan’s offshore blocks and work with the Ministry of External Affairs to enhance engagement with stakeholders in China and Saudi Arabia.

In addition, the Division must address the concerns mentioned in the audit report dated June 5, 2024, and include all provinces in its plans.

Setting milestones based on predetermined dates is necessary to guarantee project progress and completion on schedule.

The Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee is to arrange an interprovincial meeting on the regulatory framework for mining.

Announced by the Special Secretary of the Petroleum Division, all Federal Mineral Projects have been moved to the newly established minerals wing, where consultants are being hired.

The Division will also work with the Ministry of External Affairs to increase the availability of energy resources by importing LPG from Turkmenistan.

The Reko Diq Project will improve technical proficiency and fortify Pakistan’s mineral industry by bringing cutting-edge mining and processing technologies to the country.

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Talal Chaudhry criticises the chief minister of KP and calls for responsibility for the misuse of government funds for the PTI rally.

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21 hours ago

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The PTI Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur should not have used offensive language during the PTI rally, according to Senator Talal Chaudhry, since such threats and rhetoric degrade politicians’ dignity.

He stated at a press conference that dramatisation and juggling are not the ways in which movements are successful. Both NRO and pardon for the PTI leadership are off the table. He declared that we would work to pass laws that would guarantee Pakistan’s political stability.

The senator for the PML-N stated that Tosha Khana’s 190 million pounds and money should be returned.

PTI disregarded the Islamabad administration’s affidavit regarding the rally and continued to stage rallies using Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tax dollars.

He claimed that at the rally, threats were made against national institutions and that no one discussed the state of the nation’s economy—only the Adiala jail inmate was yelled at.

He added that PTI will no longer be supported from anyplace during the speech. The authorities made no attempts to impede the rally’s planning. A breach of the meeting’s rules and regulations will be brought before the court.

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