Lahore, August 16, 2024 — The Punjab government has announced a Rs14 per unit reduction on electricity bills for August and September. This discount applies to consumers using up to 500 units of electricity.
At a press conference in Lahore, Nawaz Sharif, along with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, explained that this relief is possible due to cuts in other government expenses. “Maryam has worked hard to secure this relief by saving money in different areas,” Nawaz Sharif said.
The Punjab government will reduce the amount charged per unit of electricity, and adjusted bills will be sent to consumers. The funds for this relief come from reallocating Rs45 billion from the development budget.
Nawaz Sharif’s frequent presence at provincial meetings has raised concerns about the extent of his daughter’s authority. However, Maryam Nawaz defended her father’s involvement, stating that all decisions were made with his approval.
This new relief follows a similar scheme announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for consumers using up to 200 units per month. The federal government claimed to have provided Rs50 billion in discounts to these consumers over the past three months.
In addition, Nawaz Sharif praised Maryam Nawaz for launching a solar panel program. The “Roshan Gharana” initiative offers free solar panels to consumers using up to 200 units, and a 90% subsidy for those using up to 500 units. Consumers will also be able to get interest-free loans to pay for the panels over five years.
Nawaz Sharif urged other provinces to adopt similar programs and called for measures to tackle inflation, which he believes began during Imran Khan’s tenure. He promised to stay in touch with the media and continue addressing the country’s economic issues.
