Summary:
- Punjab government introduces a Rs45 billion relief package to cut electricity tariffs.
- Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb urges other provinces to replicate Punjab’s model.
- The relief targets consumers using 201 to 500 units of electricity for August and September.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced a substantial Rs45 billion relief package aimed at reducing electricity costs for residents of Punjab and Islamabad. The relief, which includes a significant cut of Rs14 per unit, will apply to consumers using between 201 and 500 units of electricity during August and September. This initiative marks a historic intervention by the Punjab government to ease financial burdens on its citizens.
Aurangzeb urged other provinces—Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan—to adopt a similar approach, suggesting that they should also reduce electricity bills from their own budgets. This plea follows the announcement made by PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on August 16. They committed to funding the relief package from Punjab’s own resources, reflecting their dedication to public welfare despite challenging economic conditions.
The senior minister criticized those opposing the relief package, accusing them of spreading propaganda and seeking to create discord among provinces. She also condemned the previous government’s economic management, attributing the current economic difficulties to their tenure. Aurangzeb clarified that the relief package will benefit electricity consumers in Punjab for August and September, while at the federal level, it will cover bills for July, August, and September. Consumers using 1 to 200 units will also receive relief funded by the federal budget, as confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Highlighting the achievements of the current Punjab administration, Aurangzeb praised recent initiatives such as the Ramadan package, low-cost bread schemes, scholarships, and various welfare programs. She noted improvements in governance and economic policies under Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, including reduced interest rates and lower inflation. Aurangzeb contrasted the current government’s achievements with those of the previous PTI-led administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on public welfare.
In closing, Aurangzeb emphasized that under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, Punjab is making significant strides toward economic stability, marking a positive shift in just four months.
