Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Monday that everyone should appreciate the electricity subsidy provided by the Punjab government, encouraging other provinces to offer the same relief.

The Punjab government’s example should be followed by all provincial governments, he said at a press conference in Islamabad.

Power consumers: Punjab govt to give Rs45bn subsidy for 2 months: Nawaz

“Everyone should be appreciative of the Punjab government’s initiative,” he said.

Last week, the PML-N-led Punjab government announced to bring Rs 14 per unit relief in the bills of power consumers using below 500 units. The provincial government will offer a record Rs 45 billion subsidy to the electricity consumer for two months, ie, August and September.

However, after the announcement, there was criticism from various political quarters over the selective provision of relief, raising concerns about equity among provinces.

Governor urges CM to offer Punjab-like power bill relief

Political leaders from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also accused the Punjab government of playing the “provincial card” in matters related to national electricity policy.

However, during today’s press conference, the minister said that the federal government was providing relief to the masses and called on provinces to do the same.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Sunday had also called on Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to offer a subsidy on electricity bills similar to the one recently announced by the Punjab government.