Islamabad (TDI): The Ministry of Energy and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission are engaged in talks to address the global lender’s concerns regarding the government’s solar policy.
The government is making efforts to resolve the IMF’s reservations related to the policy, according to media reports.
Officials from the Power Division and Petroleum Division will separately brief the IMF on different issues.
The Secretary of the Power Division, Petroleum Division, and Finance Secretary will be present during the briefing, a local news channel reported.
The Power Division will highlight the performance of Discos (distribution companies), circular debt, and the privatization process.
The briefing will also cover strategies to improve electricity bill collections, reduce line losses and curb electricity theft.
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Progress on the privatization of three Discos and the identification of assets will also be underlined.
Efforts will be made to address IMF concerns regarding the government’s solar policy.
Moreover, the government will discuss plans to reduce electricity tariffs by Rs8 to RS10 per unit, gaining the confidence of officials at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
During the Petroleum Division meeting, de-regulation in the petroleum and gas sectors will be discussed, alongside plans to tackle the three trillion rupee circular debt in the gas sector.
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The government also intends to give a briefing on a plan to address circular debt by setting an average tariff for both local and imported gas.
Plans to further divide state-owned gas companies and involve the private sector in gas buying and selling will also be discussed.
