Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s recent announcement of a power tariff subsidy has ignited a significant debate across the country. The decision, made after former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement to provide financial relief to Punjab’s electricity consumers, has drawn both support and criticism from political figures nationwide.
The controversy began when Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Mustafa Kamal, in a press conference, urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to extend the relief across Pakistan. Kamal called for a reduction in electricity tariffs by Rs18 to Rs20 per unit nationwide, expressing concern over the disparity in relief efforts. He emphasized that residents of urban Sindh, particularly Karachi, have long felt marginalized and deserve equal treatment.
Responding on the social media platform X, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz defended her government’s decision, stating that the relief provided was not free but funded by the provincial budget. She explained that Rs45 billion was allocated to subsidize the electricity costs, and urged other provinces, particularly Sindh, to consider similar measures for their residents.
Mustafa Kamal, in his response, acknowledged Maryam Nawaz’s remarks but highlighted the challenges his party has faced in Sindh over the past 15 years. He reiterated that his request was directed at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and not the Punjab government, urging the federal government to ensure that all provinces receive equitable treatment.
The debate intensified as other political leaders weighed in. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, speaking at a press conference, claimed that the Punjab government’s decision was a result of pressure from ongoing public activism. He called for similar relief measures across the country and warned of a potential strike against high electricity bills and inflation if the issue is not addressed on a national scale.
Criticism also came from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who accused the Punjab government of making a short-term, optics-driven move. PPP leader Murtaza Wahab argued that the Rs45 billion subsidy would only provide temporary relief, calling for long-term solutions instead. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser on Finance, Muzammil Aslam, criticized the subsidy as an unsustainable use of public resources, contrasting it with KP’s focus on low-cost, sustainable energy projects.
As the debate continues, the demand for a nationwide reduction in electricity tariffs remains a contentious issue, reflecting the broader challenges of energy policy and economic inequality in Pakistan.
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