Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that there is a targeted subsidy on electricity bills, which the IMF did not object to.
“However, if the IMF has any concerns, they can be discussed,” said the minister while talking to the media on Tuesday.
Azma Bokhari mentioned that some areas suffered crop damage due to floodwaters, and the health department is working in the flood-affected regions.
However, there is no emergency situation regarding health in the flood-affected areas of Punjab.
Speaking about the dengue outbreak, she said that dengue is under control in Punjab, while the number of dengue patients is higher in Sindh.
Regarding the IMF’s concerns about relief on electricity bills, Azma Bokhari reiterated that there is a targeted subsidy on electricity bills, which the IMF did not object to.
“If the IMF has any concerns, discussions can take place,” said the minister.
The provincial minister further stated that the temporary relief on electricity bills was provided for two months, but political opponents are politicizing the issue of relief on electricity bills.
She added that the Punjab government announced programs only after thorough preparation.
The government did not make announcements without knowing where the funds would come from.
There would be no cuts in the development budget; instead, cuts would be made in their expenses.
Azma Bokhari also said that the Punjab government is working extensively on environmental issues.
The people, she said, had been arrested for burning crops, and actions were taken against the brick kilns.
In the next two to three years, smog would be reduced or eliminated in Punjab.
The IMF instructed provincial governments to stop providing subsidies on electricity bills, and the international financial institution did not agree to subsidies on electricity bills.
