Sindh, Punjab in verbal slugfest over power subsidy

LAHORE:

The simmering tensions between the PPP and PML-N reached a boiling point on Tuesday, as the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif took a swipe at her Sindh counterpart, Murad Ali Shah, and other leaders of the latter's party over the recent Punjab power subsidy.

In a veiled manner, Maryam accused them of lining their pockets with ill-gotten money and squandering public funds on luxurious lifestyles and extensive protocols.

In the opposite corner, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon retorted by mocking PML-N for lacking any vision and accusing it of promoting provincialism.

Memon slammed the ruling PML-N's decision to grant a two-month sub-sidy exclusively to Punjab, quipping that while the younger Sharif - PM Shehbaz Sharif - raises electricity tariffs nationwide, the elder Sharif - Nawaz Sharif - slashes bills only in Punjab.

"How can one make sense of that?" he questioned.

Though Sharjeel asserted he could retaliate against Maryam Nawaz with equal venom, he said he would hold back, stating that PPP leadership does not indulge in such politics.

However, despite the verbal sparring, it appears unlikely that the feud will escalate into a full-blown crisis at the federal level as the forces back-ing the coalition will put a lid on the brewing conflict, ensuring it does not get out of hand.

Moreover, Sharjeel's visible restraint in his remarks signalled that the PPP leadership is currently opting for caution, confining this exchange to mere shadowboxing for the time being.

Addressing an award ceremony for top students from Punjab's nine education boards, Maryam hit back at Sindh's criticism.

"Someone called the electricity relief stupidity," she said, taking a jab at the PPP leadership. "But I laughed—lining one's pockets with corruption, splurging on vehicles, planes, and protocol is not stupidity, but giving re-lief to the public is."

Maryam's comments were a direct response to CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah's earlier criticism, in which he dismissed the subsidy as a senseless decision.

Defending her position against PPP leader Saeed Ghani's criticism, Mar-yam asserted that even a brief respite in electricity bills would bring her contentment, hinting at a larger plan on the horizon—a solar program aimed at permanently reducing inflated bills.

She said even if people receive relief for just two months, she would feel content and happy.

"After these two months, we are launching a massive solar program that will free people from inflated bills permanently," she announced.

In response to Shah's criticism that she focused on delivery rather than media stunts, Maryam claimed that genuine work needed no publicity as it spoke for itself.

She also stated, "I am a Pakistani first and a Punjabi second. The relief for Punjab wasn't a gift; we provided it by cutting our budget expenses."

She urged other provinces to follow suit, saying, "Instead of criticising, step forward and offer relief to your citizens. Calling this relief effort 'stupidity' is the stupidity."

'Lack of foresight, vision'

Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon regretted how his party's constructive criticism was received by the Punjab government. He maintained that their critiques were never made for the sake of criticism but were often misunderstood by political opponents.

He argued that they had rightly questioned what would happen to the people of Punjab after two months when the relief expires, adding that the decision lacked foresight and vision.

Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Memon stressed that visionary leaders instead focused on long-term benefits, citing late former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's Thar coal project as an example.

He pointed out that after Benazir's government was dissolved, the PML-N halted the project, only for Asif Ali Zardari to revive it later. The Thar Coal project, where the PPP had invested billions, has the potential to provide the country with the cheapest electricity, he added.

The PPP leader further asserted that his party doesn't play provincial politics. Instead, it works for the betterment of all Pakistanis.

Criticising the PML-N for providing relief only to Punjab while in power at the Center, Memon said that his party too could engage in a tit-for-tat response, but it chooses not to play on the PML-N's turf.

"What we said may have ruffled some feathers, but it held up a mirror to them," he said.

While the PML-N was operating with a two-month vision, "We are planning for the next two hundred years. When Sindh undertakes a project, it benefits all of Pakistan," he said, citing Sindh's health sector.

In response to a question, he stated that President Asif Ali Zardari had urged the federal government to undertake long-term planning to reduce electricity rates, rather than providing temporary relief to one province for two months. "We focus on taking action rather than making announcements; we act first and announce later," he said.

He also noted that CM Murad Ali Shah was performing his duties well, and any changes to the cabinet would be made in line with the wishes of the Sindh leadership.

 

'PPP's achievements in Sindh'

The PPP leader also announced PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurated a 120-bed department of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, a 110-bed department of neurology, a stroke unit, and the latest Cyber-Knife facility at Jinnah Hospital just a day earlier.

He congratulated the entire Pakistani nation on this achievement, stating that these treatment facilities will be provided free of cost to all citizens, not only to the people of Sindh but to the entire population of Pakistan.

The senior minister noted that the minimum cost of treating cancer with CyberKnife is Rs221 million in the United States, Rs194 million in Germany, Rs166 million in Japan, Rs138 million in Canada, Rs166 million in the United Kingdom, Rs152 million in France, Rs194 million in Australia, Rs221 million in Switzerland, Rs180 million in the Netherlands, and up to Rs166 million in Sweden.

In contrast, this facility is being provided free of charge by the Sindh government in Karachi, benefiting people from all over Pakistan.

He mentioned that 31 per cent of the patients who have recovered from CyberKnife treatment are from Punjab. People come to hospitals in Sindh not only from across the country but also from abroad; patients from 15 different countries seek treatment here.

"We do not check anyone's ID card or passport when providing treatment—people's lives and health are our first priority," he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed the desire to work in the health sector in Punjab.

Memon also addressed the recent rainfall in Sindh, noting that while Karachi did not experience any major spells, Sukkur received 283 mm of rain, Naushahro Feroze 126 mm, and Mirpurkhas 111 mm.

The Sindh government has implemented comprehensive security measures during the rains.

Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah is currently visiting the rain-affected districts, with funds allocated to all deputy commissioners for dewatering, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has taken preemptive measures to mitigate potential losses.

He assured that there are no major issues and that the situation is completely under control with water fully drained from the cities that experienced rainfall.

He further explained that the department of excise and taxation is providing vehicle registration and biometric services at home for a fee of ten thousand rupees, and vehicle transfers can also be done online from home.

The Sindh government is working towards making all services available online, he added.

According to Memon, at a previous event to raise funds for flood victims' homes through the auction of premium number plates, Rs 670 million was collected in just four hours.

He announced that a similar event would be held again in September, where philanthropists would bid for premium number plates, with the money raised going towards a housing project for flood victims.

The Sindh government is taking a historic step by rebuilding 2.1 million houses destroyed in the last flood. Although the flood affected all of Pakistan, only the Pakistan People's Party is actively building homes for the flood victims, he said.

 

Responding to a question, he criticised the PTI founder Imran for engaging in self-serving politics, compromising the integrity of the country for personal gain, with Saqib Nisar acting as a facilitator.

He called for former chief justice Saqib Nisar to return to Pakistan and face media questions and alleged the ex-CJP collected money in the name of building a dam while shutting down pharmaceutical companies for his sons-in-law's benefit, all to persuade Imran Khan.

He also highlighted the Sindh government's ongoing efforts against drug use, with tests to be conducted in schools, colleges, and universities.

He announced that the anti-drug campaign would be intensified, with strict actions taken against those using or selling drugs.

President Zardari, the federal government, and Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah are united in this effort, he asserted, adding that the government will al-so act against drug use at social events or in private homes if complaints are received.