Lahore (Web Desk): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that the Punjab government will provide relief of Rs14 per unit to consumers using up to 500 units of electricity in August and September bills.
Addressing a press conference alongside Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore, the PML-N president said that Rs45 billions have been allocated to provide relief to consumers in this regard.
Nawaz said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz are focused on providing facilities to the oppressed segments of society.
“Those who use 200 units have received relief in their bills,” Nawaz said. “Maryam tells me that the bills are higher due to the hot weather, so she has ordered a relief package to reduce customer bills in August and September. Those consuming between 0-500 units will receive a reduction of Rs14 per unit.”
“Punjab government has also allocated Rs7 billion for a solar programme aimed at providing relief to middle class,” Nawaz said.
The PML-N's supremo said he recalls the time in 2017 when there was no price hike issue with people living an easy and comfortable life, adding that he became premier in 2013, his government worked on the economy, making it one of the world's best-performing economies.
He said at that time, the world praised Pakistan for its emerging economy, as the PML-N-led government took the US dollar to Rs95.
"However, the government had to keep the greenback pegged at Rs104 for the next four years owing to exports and some other issues,” he said.
The greenback would have been pegged at Rs104 if he had stayed in power, he added.
Nawaz Sharif said that the PML-N is not behind the current price hike, adding that the world reacted to Pakistan's growth, saying the country has rid itself of the IMF grip.
Nawaz attributed the skyrocketing cost of living to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, saying that it was the Imran Khan-led regime that brought the International Monetary Fund (IMF) back to the country.
He criticised those he deemed responsible for the economic challenges, stating, "The real culprits are those who are now sitting in jail and making grand statements".
The former premier said that he put an end to the load-shedding before the termination of his five-year term.
"We surmounted the power crisis in three years," he said, adding that the power bill of a common man was Rs1,600 in 2017 which has now surged to Rs18,000.
He added that the bank's interest rate was around 5% during his tenure however, it went up to 22% under the PTI's rule.
The PML-N supremo, patting the shoulder of Maryam Nawaz, thanked her that she slashed flour prices when she assumed power in the province.
