Former Prime Minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif Announced Rs 14 per Unit price Reduction in Punjab electricity bills of August and September, 2024. This move comes in response to recent hikes in electricity tariffs by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), which increased rates by Rs2.56 per unit last week, following a Rs3.33 per unit rise in May, 2024 for fuel adjustment.
The surge in electricity bills has particularly impacted lifeline consumers (using 51-100 units per month) and those in the protected category (up to 200 monthly units), pushing their bills beyond the monthly ceiling and resulting in inflated charges.
At a press conference in Lahore with his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif praised her efforts in devising the relief program. He stated, “Maryam has identified that the high bills are due to extreme weather and has ordered a relief package to lower customer bills for August and September. Consumers using between 0-500 units will benefit from a reduction of Rs14 per unit.”
Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over the rising cost of living since his last term ended in 2017, highlighting that power bills then were Rs1,600 compared to today’s figures. He reminisced about the economic stability during his tenure, where the dollar was valued at Rs104, and inflation was minimal.
The former premier criticized his removal from office, attributing the country’s current economic challenges to his ouster. He asserted that his administration had addressed energy shortages and introduced significant projects like CPEC.
Nawaz Sharif also revealed plans for a new solar panel scheme aimed at providing further relief to the lower-middle class. The program, with an estimated cost of Rs700 billion, will offer solar panels to reduce energy costs and ease the financial burden on citizens.
He commended the Punjab government and PM Shehbaz Sharif for their efforts and suggested that similar initiatives should be extended to other provinces.
