ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar maintained on Tuesday it was not entirely correct that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had dismissed a government proposal for the adjustment of power tariffs in the country, saying it was still possible to provide “targeted subsidies” to disadvantaged socioeconomic classes.
The government decided to approach the IMF recently after widespread protests in Pakistan over inflated electricity bills and rising petroleum prices that have further increased the cost of living in the country.
The protests broke out after the government decided to remove power subsidies and increase electricity tariffs in July to meet a major IMF condition for the approval of a $3 billion short-term bailout facility.
According to some local media outlets, Pakistan had proposed to spread out quarterly tariff and fuel price adjustments over a period of four to six months, but the global lender rejected the plan.
“That is not the correct way of describing the situation,” Kakar told Dawn News TV while responding to a question about the IMF’s decision to turn down the government’s scheme in a brief interview. “The both sides — the fund and the Pakistan government — have explored many avenues and there is an agreement that the class that does not contribute toward tax payments should not be incentivized. We agree with the fund [on that]. We both share the same approach.”
“But the economic class, which is already contributing toward the tax net, we need to look after them, and there is a disadvantaged socioeconomic class, people who have consumed around 200 units [of electricity],” he continued. “That sort of a targeted subsidy to that section is neither being discouraged and nor being curtailed by the fund or the government of Pakistan.”
The prime minister said it was difficult to deal with the problems related with the smooth functioning of the country’s power sector in the short term.
However, he acknowledged deficiencies in electricity generation, distribution and recovery mechanisms while suggesting a holistic approach to address the problem.
The issue of excessively high cost of electricity was also taken up by a Senate standing committee on Tuesday that criticized the power division for inefficiencies, power theft and losses caused to the overall sector.
Pakistan PM says targeted power subsidies still possible for electricity consumers
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Pakistan PM says targeted power subsidies still possible for electricity consumers
- PM Kakar maintains it is not entirely correct the government proposal for tariff adjustment was rejected by the IMF
- Pakistan has witnessed widespread protests over high electricity bills, rising petroleum prices amid spiraling inflation
Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data
- Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
- White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships
ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.
The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness
The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.
Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.
In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise.
Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.
