Tarar urges provinces to follow Punjab’s lead on electricity subsidy instead of criticising decision

Move sparks backlash with PPP, PTI, MQM-P accusing govt of favouritism, saying relief must be applied in all provinces

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called on all provinces to follow the example set by the Punjab government in providing electricity subsidies, emphasising the need for equitable relief across the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, Tarar highlighted the significant step taken by the Punjab government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), in offering a Rs14 per unit reduction in electricity bills for consumers using less than 500 units.

This initiative, which includes a record-breaking Rs45 billion subsidy for August and September, has drawn both praise and criticism.

"Everyone should acknowledge and appreciate the Punjab government's initiative," Tarar stated, urging other provincial governments to extend similar relief to their residents.

However, the move has sparked controversy, with political figures from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) accusing the Punjab government of favouritism, arguing that the relief should be applied uniformly across all provinces.

In response to these criticisms, Tarar reiterated the federal government's commitment to providing relief to the public and encouraged other provinces to take similar steps. He underscored the importance of addressing the concerns of all regions fairly without playing into provincial divisions.

Echoing this sentiment, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday to introduce a subsidy on electricity bills akin to the one announced by Punjab to ensure that residents of Sindh also benefit from reduced power costs.