Former Prime Minister and President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, Nawaz Sharif, made an important announcement on Friday regarding the reduction of electricity prices in the province of Punjab. He mentioned that the Punjab government will implement a reduction in per-unit electricity prices, bringing the cost down to Rs14 per unit for consumer bills during the months of August and September.
This announcement comes in the midst of concerns over increased electricity bills. Recently, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) revealed a hike in electricity tariffs by Rs2.56 per unit, marking the second consecutive increase. The rise in tariffs was attributed to a Rs3.33 per unit rise for fuel adjustment in May. As a result, consumers, particularly those in the lifeline category and those in the protected category, faced inflated bills, exceeding their monthly ceiling and leading to higher rates than their actual consumption warranted.
In a joint press conference held in Lahore alongside his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the former premier commended her for spearheading the initiative and addressing the issue. He highlighted that the relief package proposed by Maryam aims to alleviate the burden on consumers facing higher bills due to the prevailing hot weather conditions.
Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over the significant increase in living costs compared to his previous tenure in power, noting that electricity bills during his administration amounted to Rs1,600. He pointed out the contrast between the state of living at that time, characterized by low inflation and general prosperity, to the current situation where people are grappling with higher costs and financial challenges.
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Furthermore, he touched upon the economic conditions during his governance, asserting that his government effectively managed the country’s economic challenges and propelled it towards rapid progress. He also lamented his removal from office in 2017 and attributed the subsequent economic decline to this action, stressing the impact on the lives of the common people, particularly in regard to their ability to afford basic necessities and education.
Nawaz Sharif also highlighted his government’s achievements in resolving load shedding and emphasized the successful implementation of various projects aimed at addressing the energy crisis. He further announced the implementation of a solar panel scheme in the future to provide citizens with solar panels, aiming to further reduce their electricity bills. This scheme is anticipated to cost Rs700 billion and target the lower-middle class, ultimately providing a significant reduction in their energy costs.
In conclusion, Nawaz Sharif acknowledged the efforts of the Punjab government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and expressed hope for the expansion of such initiatives to other provinces, emphasizing the importance of providing relief to the people and fostering economic stability.
