ISLAMABAD, May 08 (DNA): The federal government has accepted the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of increasing electricity and gas prices in the country.

The consumers will pay Rs340 billion in three years for electricity and gas. The government has also agreed to make the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) an autonomous body to set electricity prices.

Sources said only exporters will be given limited subsidy in industrial consumers. Sources said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will also be made autonomous in setting the prices.

On May 5, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had said Dr Reza Baqir had resigned from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to serve Pakistan.

“We welcome Reza Baqir as Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). He has come to support Prime Minister Imran Khan on economic front,” Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had said while talking to media in Islamabad.

She had said the graduate of high educational institutes Reza Baqir was a proud son of the soil. She said in Naya Pakistan of Imran Khan talent was valued.

The special assistant had said opposition wanted to close the doors on intelligent Pakistanis.=DNA

==================

Pakistan, Latvia identify areas for future cooperation

ISLAMABAD, May 08 (DNA): The 5th round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Latvia was held in Riga.

Additional Secretary (Europe) Zaheer A. Janjua and Ambassador Janis Mazeiks, Under Secretary of State and Political Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, led their respective delegations.

The two sides undertook a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations and identified areas for future cooperation in political, economic, trade, investment, education and cultural fields.

The Additional Secretary briefed on the political and economic developments in Pakistan, including the strengthening of democracy, emerging economy and efforts aimed at establishing rule of law, good governance, justice and accountability.

He invited Latvian companies to benefit from Pakistan’s investor-friendly policies.

The Additional Secretary briefed the Latvian side on the situation in South Asia, notably the Indian aggression and Pakistan’s measured response as well as steps in support of peace and stability.

He said that Pakistan has consistently worked for military de-escalation, diffusion of tensions, and resumption of dialogue with India to peacefully resolve all outstanding disputes.

In the context of deteriorating situation and gross violations of human rights in the occupied Kashmir, the Additional Secretary urged the Latvian side to take cognizance of these abuses, documented extensively by international organizations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.=DNA

================