KARACHI: Former Chairman of Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) urged government to reconsider its decision to raise electricity prices based on IMF instructions.

Shabbar Zaidi criticised government for not taking austerity measures and instead imposing an ‘unfair’ tax on citizens. Speaking in private TV programme, ex-FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi highlighted that government solely committed to collecting Rs 13,000 billion to pay back IMF loan while ordinary citizens are struggling to make ends meet. He asserted that government cannot take austerity measures as they have to deposit Rs 9,700 billion in interest and it no longer has ability to talk about debt. “Government deposits all collected revenue in interest, as Pakistan has to pay Rs 9,700 billion in interest on loan next year,” stated Zaidi. Responding to question, Shabbar Zaidi criticised Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s performance stating that 2.5 million children are deprived of basic education in Pakistan. Zaidi highlighted that government should have established schools for these children before addressing their nutritional needs. He added that condition of poor citizens has worsened due to increase in prices of essential commodities. He noted that individuals earning salary of Rs 50,000 are now forced to sell their household goods just to afford electricity. Former Minister urged government to reconsider its decision to raise electricity prices based on IMF instructions, questioning whether they will subsidise electricity or continue to let poor suffer.