Pakistan seek US help to avoid power tariff raise

Pakistan has requested the United States to help convince IMF to extend the deadline of increase in power tariff condition for another 6 months. The 17 percent raise in power tariff is to be implemented from 1st July. According to the sources in ministry of finance, advisor to the US President Barack Obama on economic issues, David Lipton held a meeting with Advisor to the Prime Minster on Finance Shaukat Tarin in Islamabad during which the Finance Advisor demanded the US to help extend the deadline till December. The sources told that David Lipton has urged Pakistani leadership to go by the agreement with the IMF. David Lipton has also denied helping Pakistan in circular debt issue. David Lipton has also asked Pakistan not to include Kerry Lugar bill aid in its budget as the US government wants to resolve some more matters with the government. He assured Shaukat Tarin that US would ensure the aid promised in the Tokyo conference.