Reducing electricity prices is govt’s top priority: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored that the government’s priority is to reduce electricity bills and has urged against politicising the issue as protests against high electricity prices intensify across the country.

In a meeting, Sharif denounced the politicisation of the electricity issue as a disservice to the public. He emphasised that his administration is committed to addressing the problem without resorting to political gamesmanship.

His comments come in the wake of widespread demonstrations led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against soaring electricity prices. Protests have notably disrupted major roads to the federal capital and have spread to various cities, with demonstrators demanding the removal of taxes that have significantly inflated their power bills.

These protests are predominantly driven by the financial strain on lower- and middle-income families.

The JI has expressed a willingness to persist with their protests until their demands are met. During the last fiscal year, the federal government approved a 26 per cent rise in electricity tariffs, followed by an additional 20 per cent increase in July, compounding the public’s burden amid rising inflation.

Experts, speaking at a panel discussion in Karachi, suggested that no immediate relief in electricity prices is expected, given the government’s focus on using petroleum products and power as revenue sources.

PM Sharif revealed that the government has allocated Rs50 billion for the months of July, August, and September to alleviate the impact on the salaried class. Additionally, he noted a reduction of Rs8.5 per unit in electricity costs for industries and assured continued protection for consumers using up to 200 units of electricity.

Sharif acknowledged the legitimacy of some taxes but criticised excessive taxation on taxpayers, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with consumer protection.

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