LAHORE: Former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has announced a significant relief package for electricity consumers in Punjab, particularly targeting low-income households.
During a press conference, Nawaz Sharif revealed that consumers using up to 500 units of electricity would receive a relief of Rs 14 per unit. He commended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her efforts in providing relief to the public and announced that she would be launching a solar panel scheme to further alleviate electricity costs.
The Punjab government has allocated Rs 700 billion for this solar panel scheme, which is expected to reduce electricity bills even more in the future. The relief package, which includes the Rs 14 per unit discount for consumers using up to 500 units, will cost the Punjab government Rs 45 billion.
Sharif also praised Shehbaz Sharif for his efforts in easing the burden on the public and urged him to collaborate on the solar panel scheme in Punjab and other provinces.
This announcement followed a call from President Asif Ali Zardari, who urged the federal government to provide relief to the public by reducing electricity bills.
Zardari emphasized that the current electricity bills are unaffordable for the public and called for immediate action to lower them. He directed both federal and provincial governments to develop a plan to provide this relief.
Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also stated that the government would soon take steps to deliver good news to the nation as they were facing difficulties due to high electricity bills.
He assured that the government is working diligently to resolve the issue and that a significant reduction in electricity tariffs would be announced soon.