Islamabad: International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Pakistani governmentto raise prices of gas and electricity prices for consumers, a move ifhappens would put extra burden on people already suffering due to economicfalls out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The global lender demanding do more from Pakistan in recent contact askedthe authorities concerned to reduce the circular debt and electricitylosses.

IMF demanded the Pakistani government to give free hand to NationalElectric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and Oil and Gas RegulatoryAuthority (Ogra) to decide on the prices.

It further asked for implementing the economic and tax reforms. It alsoasserted that tax collection target for first quarter (July-September) ofthe running fiscal year must be achieved.

The IMF urged the Pakistan to collect more than Rs1,000 billion in wake oftaxes during the said period.