Due to conflicting rumors about its acceptance by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the federal government’s proposed “Winter Package 2024,” which aims to increase electricity usage during the winter months, is now in limbo.
In an effort to boost domestic demand and offset a sharp decline in electricity usage—10–12% in the industrial sector alone—the government plans to lower electricity tariffs for all consumers by Rs 7-8 per unit between December 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, according to officials.
High tariffs and a move toward off-grid systems are blamed for this reduction.
Questions concerning the anticipated rise in consumption and its effects on the economy were brought up in an online discussion between IMF officials and government representatives from the Finance Division and the Power Division.
