The chief ministers of Punjab and Sindh, Maryam Nawaz and Murad Ali Shah, are at odds over the recent announcement of a Rs45 billion power subsidy in Punjab. The Punjab government has decided to reduce electricity bills by Rs14 per unit for consumers using 201 to 500 units in August and September. This move has faced criticism from political opponents, such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling allies Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah called the power subsidy a “folly” and criticized the decision as a short-term relief aimed at optics. This led to a response from Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, who defended the subsidy and highlighted the government’s plans for a massive solar energy program, aiming to provide long-term relief to consumers.
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Furthermore, the Sindh CM lamented the lack of financial support from the federal government for Sindh’s welfare projects, while criticizing the Punjab government’s shift to solar power after previously setting up high-cost power plants. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif clarified that the Punjab government funded the relief independently and urged other provincial governments not to politicize the matter.
The power subsidy announcement was made by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz as part of their efforts to provide relief to electricity consumers. PM Shehbaz emphasized ongoing efforts to address the power crisis through measures against electricity theft and reforms in the power sector.
