Lahore: Punjab’s Finance Minister, Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, revealed on Thursday that the provincial government is deliberating on a tailored package aimed at providing relief to households consuming up to 300 units of electricity. This initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden on low-income groups grappling with persistent inflation woes.
Speaking to reporters outside the Punjab Assembly, Shuja elaborated that this scheme is slated to be incorporated into the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. He highlighted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s formation of a dedicated committee, hinting at a potential announcement even preceding the budgetary session.
The provincial minister stated that with over 25 million households in Punjab falling within the ambit of consuming 300 units or less of electricity, the proposed package aims to extend significant assistance to a sizable segment of the population.
Addressing concerns regarding recurrent gas and electricity tariff escalations, the provincial minister attributed the issue to the federal government’s jurisdiction. However, he pointed out that these hikes stem from what he deemed as the PTI’s inadequacy during its tenure in power.
Recalling the PTI’s avowal to refrain from external borrowing, Shuja underscored how the national debt ballooned significantly during their governance, surpassing the cumulative debt accrued over seven decades.
Asserting Punjab’s superior economic standing compared to other provinces, Shuja pledged to bolster tax collection efforts, citing the groundwork laid by Shehbaz Sharif during his tenure as Chief Minister.
Looking ahead, Shuja expressed optimism about the forthcoming 2024-25 budget, slated for presentation in June, affirming it to be among the finest. He credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for achieving notable strides in revenue augmentation, indicating a promising trajectory for Punjab’s fiscal landscape.
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