Pakistan-Mian Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz’s significant relief on electricity bills for the people of Punjab in August and September is commendable.
In these tough economic times, a reduction of up to 14 rupees per unit in electricity rates is like a breath of fresh air for the common person. The Punjab government will pay 45 billion rupees to the federal government for this relief. The Punjab government has practically demonstrated its commitment to its people. Mian Nawaz Sharif’s political history is a testament to the fact that, in every tenure, he has always worked to ease the lives of the common people. Maryam Nawaz, following in her father’s footsteps, is continuing this tradition. Although the payment of 45 billion rupees is a major challenge in these difficult financial conditions, under the direction of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz does not shy away from taking any big step to reduce the financial hardships of the people. A prime example of this is the 35 billion rupee Ramadan Relief Package that she announced immediately after becoming Chief Minister. It is nearly impossible for a newly established government to take such a significant step so quickly after coming to power, but Maryam Nawaz delivered this relief to people in a transparent manner while maintaining their dignity.
The economic challenges faced by the federal government are similarly faced by provincial governments, yet the Punjab government continues to provide relief to its citizens, whether it is distributing electric bikes among students, providing wheat, flour, or affordable bread. Maryam Nawaz is running the province with honesty and sincerity within her resources, which is why Allah is also making things easier for her. For the past two months, the common person has been most distressed by the electricity bills, and in these circumstances, the significant relief provided by the Punjab government will be a major support for the common man. With this money, the average person can manage their monthly household expenses, easily pay their children’s school fees, and buy expensive medicines for their elderly parents. Speaking of medicines, another significant achievement by Maryam Nawaz is the project she initiated to deliver two months’ worth of free medication for cancer, hepatitis, and tuberculosis patients directly to their homes, which is still running successfully. Additionally, field hospitals and clinics on wheels are also operating effectively—this is part of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz’s vision to introduce projects that cater to all segments of society without discrimination.
After the announcement of relief on electricity bills, there has been political opposition in other provinces, which is both surprising and concerning. The people in other provinces also voted for their leaders to solve their problems and ease their difficulties, but instead, these provinces are criticizing the Punjab government’s initiative. The Punjab government will pay 45 billion rupees directly from its own funds to the federal government for this relief; it has no financial involvement from the federal government. Other provinces should also cut from their budgets to provide relief to their people in the electricity bills for August and September so that their citizens can also find some respite. There is no doubt that due to the IMF’s plan, the federal government cannot reduce the prices of electricity, gas, and petrol. If the Punjab government can provide relief to the citizens of other provinces, then Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should follow this example as well.
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It’s noteworthy that every major project Nawaz Sharif initiated has eventually been copied by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. When Maryam Nawaz first announced affordable bread in Punjab, both Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed suit. When Maryam Nawaz announced the distribution of solar panels to the people of Punjab, both provinces again followed. Now, if the Punjab government is providing relief in electricity bills, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should focus on giving relief to their own citizens instead of scoring political points, as this is their right too. Maryam Nawaz’s government measures so far show that she had done her homework well before becoming Chief Minister, which is why she brings a new project for the people of Punjab every month. A significant factor in this is that Maryam Nawaz benefits greatly from the extensive experience of her father, Mian Nawaz Sharif, who has served as Pakistan’s Prime Minister three times, and she follows his guidance. She is making life easier for people, just as her father did.
After the announcement of electricity bill relief, MQM leader Mustafa Kamal criticized it, but in response, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz said that the Punjab government is providing this relief from its own resources, and Mustafa Kamal should also request the Sindh government to provide similar relief to the people of Sindh. This initiative was praised by MQM’s Governor of Sindh, Kamran Tessori, for which Maryam Nawaz thanked him. It is surprising that for the past three days, various ministers from the Sindh government have been continuously opposing this initiative by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. It seems that the Sindh government lacks the funds to provide relief to its people. If they had the resources, they could certainly give relief to their citizens. However, if the Sindh government indeed does not have funds even for a city as large as Karachi, it is a matter of serious concern.
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The heat will persist for another month, and after that, electricity bills will decrease as the demand for electricity drops with the change in weather. If the Sindh government truly cares about its people, they should follow Maryam Nawaz’s initiative and give relief to their citizens so that they can also breathe a sigh of relief. Maryam Nawaz has the fortune of introducing such public-friendly projects that other provinces are compelled to follow them. In the era of media and social media, information spreads so rapidly that everyone begins to discuss Maryam Nawaz’s initiatives, forcing other provinces to consider them as well. It’s not that the officers in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are incompetent—just as there are capable officers in Punjab, there are also competent officers in other provinces. The difference lies in leadership and intentions—how much they care about their people and how long it takes for them to understand the difficulties faced by their citizens. Maryam Nawaz, being a woman, is well aware of the issues faced by homemakers and understands that if the kitchen does not function, problems arise within the household. When electricity bills increase, it impacts the kitchen budget of the common man, which is why Maryam Nawaz remains in tune with the people and strives to resolve their issues as much as possible.
You may have many disagreements with Maryam Nawaz, but no sensible person can dispute her public-friendly initiatives. This is why Maryam Nawaz’s popularity has been rapidly rising in Punjab over the past few months. The primary reason is that she is making life easier for the common man and providing relief wherever possible. Maryam Nawaz has prepared thoroughly for her five-year term in government. She holds meetings and sessions daily to ensure the success of her initiatives. Since becoming Chief Minister of Punjab, she has devoted less time to her family, spending most of her time presiding over public-interest meetings—this is the hallmark of a leader who prioritizes their people over their own family. For Maryam Nawaz, the 110 million people of Punjab have become her family, and she has demonstrated this during the few months of her government.
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