Islamabad: The soaring electricity tariffs and a Punjab-only power subsidy have sparked a fierce political dispute among ruling coalition parties, with the PPP and opposition parties criticizing the PML-N-led federal and Punjab governments.
The controversy erupted after PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, with his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, announced a Rs14 per unit relief for Punjab electricity consumers using between 200 and 500 units per month. Sharif claimed this relief was funded by a Rs45 billion reduction in Punjab’s development budget.
This move faced backlash from the PPP-led Sindh government and the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, both of which criticized the Punjab and federal governments for neglecting other provinces.
PM Defends Punjab Government
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended the Punjab government, stating that the Centre did not contribute to the relief package, which was funded solely by Punjab’s own budget. He urged other provinces to follow Punjab’s example by reallocating their funds to offer similar relief to consumers.
Sharif dismissed claims of federal discrimination and highlighted that nearly 60 percent of NFC funds are allocated to provinces. He pointed out that the federal government had to manage loan payments and foreign project interests, emphasizing its support for various relief initiatives, including a Rs50 billion allocation for domestic consumers and a project with Balochistan to solarize tube wells.
Sindh Criticizes PML-N’s Past Policies
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah criticized the PML-N for previous costly power projects, which he blamed for the current high electricity costs. He announced plans for Sindh to develop its own coal and solar power plants and accused the federal government of neglecting Sindh’s stalled projects.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon questioned the effectiveness of Punjab’s temporary relief and called for sustainable policies. In contrast, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz defended the relief efforts, questioning the criticism and asserting that she would have extended similar relief to Sindh if she were its chief minister.
Opposition and Jamaat-i-Islami Join the Fray
PTI’s Barrister Saif warned that providing relief to just one province could foster a sense of deprivation in others. Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced a nationwide strike on August 28 against high electricity bills and promised a new movement on the issue.
**Minister for Energy Promises Future Relief**
Energy Minister Awais Leghari acknowledged that Pakistan has some of the highest electricity costs in the region but promised that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would announce “good news” regarding independent power producers (IPPs) in the coming months. Leghari also mentioned plans to establish new power plants and provide industries with lower electricity rates to address power shortages.
