Nawaz distances himself from Shehbaz government, condemns electricity price hike

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday distanced himself from Prime Minister Shehbaz’s decisions and condemned the recent hike in electricity prices by his own party’s government, calling it a significant burden on all citizens, not just the poor.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Prime Minister House in Lahore chaired by Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday, Sharif stressed that the country is being mismanaged resulting in severe economic difficulties.

Nawaz Sharif criticised the rising electricity bills, saying they have become unaffordable for many Pakistanis. He recalled that during his tenure, power cuts were eliminated and electricity tariffs were kept under control, with lower bills and a stable dollar exchange rate until 2017. He regretted that the situation has deteriorated since 2018, severely affecting the poor.

Sharif also highlighted the government’s failure to effectively handle negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), noting that his administration had previously sent the IMF packing its bags, only to be invited back by subsequent leaders.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called for immediate relief measures to alleviate the suffering of the people and echoed Sharif’s sentiments, stressing the detrimental impact of rising flour and electricity prices on the economy.

Announced plans to expand the solar panel financing scheme, which aims to provide free or loanable solar systems to the public.

The scheme, known as Roshan Gharana, is expected to be launched on August 14 and a detailed plan has been sought from relevant departments.

Punjab Energy Department has submitted proposals to provide solar systems to the public free of cost or on loan.

Energy Secretary Naeem Rauf briefed the gathering on the Chief Minister’s Solar Panel Financing Scheme and noted that trials have been initiated at various locations to monitor the performance.

The meeting concluded with Nawaz Sharif urging speedy implementation of the Roshan Gharana scheme to provide maximum relief to the public, stressing the importance of immediate action in response to the economic crisis.