Islamabad—Finance Advisor Shaukat Tarin said the government has no
immediate plans to increase power tariff keeping in view the current
situation of loadshedding in the country.
Talking to newsmen here Friday, after a conference on privatization
with public private partnership he said gas tariff has also been
reduced to provide the necessary relief to the masses.
Responding to a question, he said circular debt of the IPPs will be
retired by August to ensure maximum generation of electricity.
He said efforts are also afoot to reduce fiscal deficit and bring
inflation rate down to 9.5 percent in the calender year.
Responding to a question about the recent increase in Petroleum
prices, he said the prices have been linked with the international
markets under a transparent mechanism, and the government will give
relief to the people whenever these prices come down.
He rejected the impression that the Arab countries are not
forthcoming in the provision of necessary aid to Pakistan. saying
they have always stood by us in difficult times. Besides pledging
assistance in the Tokyo aid conference, they are extending help for
the internally displaced persons.
To a question, Shaukat Tarin said at present Pakistan is no need to
go to any financial institution for debt. however, it has got credit
line from the IMF incase the pledges made by the friends of Pakistan
are not met well intime.
