The government has clearly told the people of Pakistan that they will not get any kind of relief in the near future. Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar said there is no financial capacity, and hence they cannot give any subsidy on electricity bills.
Taking a blunt stand in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, she said to fully implement the agreement made by the former coalition government with the IMF (including the adjustment of the electricity tariff).
Regarding, financial capacity, she said that currently, it’s impossible to give any additional subsidy. Shamshad Akhtar added that the inflow of dollars will stop if the IMF agreement is not followed.
Talking to the media after the meeting, the caretaker finance minister tried to give hope to the poor and SMEs. Shamshad added that she hails from an ordinary background and is saddened to see the suffering of the poor. She further said that there is scope in the social safety net that will support the poor.
Later, in a video message, caretaker FM said that her statement at the Standing Committee on Finance was wrongly presented. She commented that for her Pakistan is more important than the IMF & it is necessary to bring stability in the country for improvement.
