Summary:
- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah are clashing over a new power subsidy announced in Punjab.
- The Punjab government has introduced a Rs14 per unit reduction in electricity bills for August and September, sparking criticism from political opponents and allies alike.
- Sindh’s Chief Minister criticized the move as impractical, while Punjab’s CM defended the subsidy and highlighted future plans for solar energy.
The announcement of a Rs45 billion power subsidy by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ignited a fierce exchange of words with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Punjab’s new plan offers a Rs14 per unit reduction in electricity bills for consumers using between 201 and 500 units during August and September. This move has been met with criticism from various political figures, including rivals and coalition partners.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah labeled the subsidy as a “folly” and expressed frustration over what he views as impractical policy announcements. He questioned the sudden availability of funds for Punjab’s relief package, alleging that the federal government had previously denied similar funds for Sindh’s projects.
In response, Maryam Nawaz dismissed Shah’s remarks as laughable. She defended the subsidy as a genuine effort to provide relief and announced plans for a significant solar energy program, which she claimed would offer a long-term solution to high electricity bills.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the controversy, clarified that the Punjab government’s subsidy was funded independently and not by federal resources. He urged other provincial governments to consider similar relief measures without turning them into political issues.
The debate highlights the ongoing tensions between Pakistan’s provincial leaders and underscores the challenges in managing and distributing resources amid political rivalries.
