PM Shehbaz unveils three-month power relief package

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a three-month electricity relief package on Friday, aimed at encouraging energy consumption during the low-demand winter months.

The package will apply to the months of December, January, and February, offering household consumers a flat rate of Rs26.07 per unit for any additional electricity usage.

Domestic consumers will receive up to Rs26.7 per unit off their electricity bill for power usage exceeding 200 units in the protected category. The package is designed to provide savings ranging from Rs11.42 to Rs26 per unit.

Industrial consumers will benefit from a reduction of Rs5.27 to Rs15.5 per unit, or 18-37%, while commercial users will see a subsidy of Rs13.46 to Rs22.71 per unit, translating into a 34-47% saving.

PM Shehbaz stressed that the initiative would stimulate economic growth by enhancing agricultural productivity, industrial output, business activity, and exports. He credited the relief package as a key part of the government's broader economic strategy, intended to foster resilience and drive long-term growth.

He thanked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for granting permission to implement the package and commended the efforts of his cabinet and senior officials in bringing it to fruition.

During his address, the PM also highlighted the government’s recent successes, such as record-high foreign remittances of $8 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal year, which he attributed to the contributions of Pakistan’s diaspora.

He expressed his commitment to advancing the country’s economic recovery, citing key improvements, including a reduction in inflation to 6.7% and a policy rate decrease to 15%. He expressed optimism that these indicators would drive further investment and development.

The Power Division confirmed the move in a statement, clarifying that reduced rates will be extended not only to domestic consumers but also to commercial and industrial users. The initiative aims to manage seasonal electricity demand while supporting economic growth.

This announcement follows a recent decision by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), which reduced electricity charges by Rs1.28 per unit due to adjustments in fuel prices for September.

NEPRA had previously approved a Rs1.743 per unit hike in electricity rates for the period from September to November to fund Rs43.23 billion for ex-Wapda distribution companies.

The PM's address took place during the celebration of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s birth anniversary.

He paid tribute to Iqbal’s enduring philosophical contributions, which, he noted, continue to inspire global leadership, determination, and hard work. He further encouraged the youth to embrace Iqbal’s ideals to help steer the country toward a prosperous future.

The event featured performances of Iqbal’s poetry, including renditions by renowned singer Shehzad Roy and a performance by young singers Mahnoor Altaf and Ashir Sultan, who recited the famous hymn “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua.”

The PM concluded his remarks by reaffirming the government's resolve to provide quality education in emerging fields like AI, IT, and vocational training, essential to securing Pakistan's position in the global economy.