Sindh govt called Punjab bills relief "political stunt"

Minister of Sindh govt Saeed Ghani called bills relief provided to people in Punjab for just two months “political stunt.” Saeed Ghani is the Sindh Minister for Local Government.

He made this statement in response to the Punjab government’s announcement that it will help the people by reducing power bills by PKR 14 per unit for August and September. He criticized this move of the Punjab government while stating that belief should be long-lasting for national civilians.

PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif announced in a news conference on August 17 that the Punjab government developed a relief package. It included a reduction in the power bill of PKR 14 per unit for those using up to 500 units of electricity.

صدر مسلم لیگ ن محمد نواز شریف اور وزیراعلیٰ مریم نواز کی جانب سے پنجاب کی عوام کیلیے 45 ارب کی لاگت سے تاریخی سبسڈی سے عوام کو بجلی کے بلوں میں 38 فیصد تک بچت ہوگی pic.twitter.com/xiSUCkHIui
— PMLN (@pmln_org) August 17, 2024

The announcement sparked criticism from political parties including MQM, PTI, and PPP. They called it using the provincial card in matters regarding electricity- that is a national issue.

Following this, the Minister of the Sindh govt Saeed Ghani called Punjab bills relief “political stunt.” He expressed it while talking to journalists at Sindh Assembly premises. He emphasized that the federal government should supply affordable electricity to the state public instead of only Punjab province.

*Saeed Ghani called PML-N Punjab’s move a “political showoff”*

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According to Saeed Ghani, 45 billion rupees are spent on relief over two months. However, that money might be used for other relief projects. He questioned what will happen after two months. He emphasized consumers would pay the same (high electricity) prices.

This criticism came after Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori had asked Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to announce a reduction in electricity bills like the Punjab Government on August 18, 2024.

Kamran stated Murad Ali Shah should announce an electricity relief bill of PKR 14 per unit as the Punjab government did. In case of denial by the Sindh government will spread distress among the public of Sindh province.