In a bid to ease the hardship of millions affected by the country’s worst flooding in decades, the government has decided to provide relief in electricity bills for flood-hit consumers and has approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approval.
According to a report in Express Tribune, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Finance to engage with the IMF and seek its consent for bill relief in the devastated areas, where three rivers have displaced millions and destroyed crops spread over 1.3 million acres.
Following these instructions, the ministry held a virtual meeting with IMF officials on Friday, requesting a three-month deferral of electricity bills. citing similar concessions granted during the 2022 floods. The IMF, however, has asked for more data, which the Power Division is expected to submit this week.
Consumers in the service areas of LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, and MEPCO have been severely impacted by the flooding, while SEPCO’s consumers are also likely to face the fallout.
Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari said that the immediate challenge is addressing August’s electricity bills, which are already due. He said data collection is underway to determine the fiscal requirements for the relief plan.
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Leghari added that the prime minister is keen to ease the burden on affected households, and a formal announcement will be made soon. The government is considering multiple mechanisms, including financial aid via the Benazir Income Support Programme or a dedicated flood relief package.
