Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Finance to begin talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for electricity bill relief in flood-hit areas. The government is considering a one-month waiver or major reductions to ease the financial burden on struggling families.
According to officials, the proposed plan will apply not only to rural areas but also to flood-affected cities. Millions of households have lost homes, livelihoods, and access to services due to recent floods. The Prime Minister emphasized that immediate financial support is necessary to help families survive this crisis.
The Finance Ministry has been told to hold urgent discussions with the IMF to finalize options for subsidies or bill relief. The aim is to reach an agreement quickly so that assistance can be delivered without delay.
Earlier, the federal government had already decided to reduce charges in electricity bills for flood victims. Officials confirmed that options include removing general sales tax, fixed charges, and surcharges from monthly bills. The government is also reviewing the removal of taxes linked to fuel price adjustments.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the government is committed to removing extra charges on bills already issued in flood-hit areas. He added that provincial governments may also waive land revenue taxes to support affected communities.
In addition to electricity relief, the government is preparing a farmers’ relief package to compensate for crop and livestock losses. This package will be announced once surveys in affected regions are completed.
The move to engage with the IMF shows Pakistan’s focus on easing public hardship while maintaining fiscal commitments. If approved, the relief measures could provide much-needed support to millions still recovering from devastating floods.
In other related news also read Pakistan Govt Challenges Draft Corruption Report By IMF Authorities
