KARACHI: Expressing concern over a potential "sense of despair" among the people of Sindh, Governor Kamran Tessori on Sunday urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to introduce relief measures in electricity bills similar to those recently announced by the Punjab government.
Two days earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif had declared a two-month power subsidy for Punjab residents, applicable to consumers using up to 500 units in their August and September bills.
This move sparked criticism from other provinces, with political parties like Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) accusing the Punjab government of playing the "provincial card" on electricity issues.
Nawaz Sharif praised his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for her efforts in reducing flour prices after taking office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the "historic" electricity relief package introduced by the Punjab chief minister.
During a press conference, Governor Tessori urged CM Shah to follow Punjab's example by providing relief of Rs14 per unit in electricity bills, warning that failure to do so could lead to despair among the people.
He also expressed concern over the devastating effects of torrential rains in parts of Sindh, noting that many people have lost their homes due to the destruction.
Tessori announced that ration bags were being sent to those affected by the rains and that he would visit the impacted areas.
He clarified that no provincial government funds were spent on events at the Governor House and that the cash prize awarded to Arshad Nadeem, the gold medalist in javelin throw, did not include any Sindh government funds.
On July 15, the federal government led by PM Shehbaz Sharif raised the base tariff for domestic electricity consumers to as much as Rs48.84 per unit. According to a notification issued by the Power Division, the price hike applies to consumers in Karachi as well.
However, those using up to 200 units per month are exempt from the increase for three months. This tariff hike followed the approval by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) of the federal government’s request for an increase of up to Rs7.12 per unit in the base electricity tariff for domestic consumers.
