By ABDULLAH 
As devastating floods continue to wreak havoc across Pakistan, displacing millions and submerging vast stretches of farmland, the federal government has sought the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval for a relief plan aimed at easing the burden of electricity bills in flood-hit regions.
The move comes as families in Punjab, Sindh, and southern regions of the country struggle to cope with the destruction of homes, crops, and livestock. With crops spread across 1.3 million acres washed away and thousands of animals lost, the demand for immediate financial assistance has intensified.
According to official sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the Ministry of Finance to approach the IMF for consent to grant bill relief to flood-affected households. Acting on the directive, the ministry held a virtual meeting with IMF officials on Friday, requesting a three-month waiver or deferral of electricity bills.
Government insiders said that the request was modeled on the relief package provided in 2022, when similar floods prompted concessions for affected communities. However, IMF officials have asked Pakistan to provide additional data, which the Power Division is expected to share this week.
Floods have severely impacted residents under the Lahore Electricity Supply Company (LESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), and Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO). Consumers of the Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) are also expected to be included.
The immediate challenge, according to Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Laghari, is addressing the electricity bills of August, which are already due. “Data collection is underway, and once complete, the fiscal requirements for relief will be clear,” Laghari said.
He added that the prime minister is determined to ease the burden on households. “A formal announcement will be made soon,” he assured, noting that both direct financial aid via the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and a dedicated flood relief package are being considered.
The latest floods, triggered by swollen waters of the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, have displaced millions of people and submerged villages across Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Bahawalpur.
Reports confirm that nearly 6,500 animals have died, while rice and other standing crops have suffered severe damage. Early surveys suggest that Gujranwala division has been hit hardest, with crop losses estimated at up to 18 percent in some areas.
Meanwhile, political parties and bar associations have begun pressing the government to expedite relief measures.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) welcomed the government’s declaration of a climate and agriculture emergency but criticized the delay in launching an international appeal for aid through the United Nations. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called the hesitation “beyond comprehension,” saying millions of affected families cannot be left to suffer without global assistance.
Separately, PTI leaders and Jamaat-e-Islami representatives also urged immediate relief efforts, while accusing provincial administrations of negligence in flood prevention and rescue operations.
Alongside displacement, the floods have also driven food prices higher, worsening inflation for ordinary Pakistanis. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, tomato prices jumped by 91 percent, sugar rose by 29 percent, and wheat flour by nearly 19 percent compared to last year.
Although some corrective measures by Punjab have slightly eased flour prices in recent days, the supply of vegetables, pulses, and livestock feed remains disrupted. For families already struggling with rising costs, any waiver in electricity bills could provide much-needed relief.
An IMF mission is expected in Pakistan later this month, where the relief proposal will be on the agenda. Finance ministry officials are also preparing to request flexibility on Pakistan’s primary budget surplus targets, citing the extraordinary magnitude of flood-related losses.
Meanwhile, the government has mobilized relief camps, medical units, and rescue teams in Punjab and Sindh, but residents continue to demand faster compensation and transparency in distribution.
For millions of Pakistanis who have lost their homes, land, and livestock, the awaited IMF nod could decide whether the next few months bring much-needed financial breathing space or deepen the hardship further.