Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has acknowledged that people using 200 to 500 units of electricity were also under the burden of high power prices, stating the federal government was considering providing relief to them.

“We have cut Rs50 billion from the developmental budget to support the power consumers of the protected category consuming up to 200 units for three months. But the consumers using 200 to 500 units of electricity are still under the burden,” he said while addressing the Ulema-Mashaikh Conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

“I, Nawaz Sharif, our coalition government, and the army chief are discussing that this is not enough. For this, a comprehensive plan is being made with coalition partners, Nawaz Sharif, the army chief, and provinces to ease the inflation-stricken people. I hope that hopefully, we will try to provide further relief to poor people from inflation and electricity prices.”

The premier went on to add that the provinces would soon make announcements in this regard. He stated that the government was compelled to go to the International Monetary Fund to improve the economy.

Last month, the government announced a three-month relief period for lifeline consumers of electricity whose consumption remains below 200 units per month.

The package would provide relief of up to Rs7 per unit to around 25 million domestic consumers falling in the protected category for three months till September.

‘Unprecedented harmony between government, institutions’

At the event, the premier claimed that the coalition government and the national institutions were in an “unprecedented harmony and cooperation” to serve the better national interests and steer the country out of prevailing challenges.

“The country never needed unity and national harmony more and I have never seen such a level of cooperation between a political government and the institutions throughout my political career,” PM Shehbaz said.

While appreciating the support extended by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, also attending the moot, he said that “such exemplary collaboration was a role model” for the future.

He said that the challenges pervading the country necessitated learning lessons from past weaknesses and mistakes and making “sincere efforts” to develop Pakistan as a country as was dreamt by the forefathers and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives during the Pakistan movement.

According to the premier, the nation, which is about to celebrate its 77th Independence Day on August 14, was “yet to find its destination,” but the goal was achievable provided the dedicated efforts were made and the teachings of Quran and Sunnah were followed.

He called for the efforts to wipe out Fitna al Khawarij – a term referring to banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan – which he said was involved in anti-Pakistan activities despite claiming to be a Pakistani. He also criticised the “use of social media” to spread lies and propaganda – particularly after 2018 – instead of appreciating the government’s efforts for public services.

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The premier claimed that even the army soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to protect millions of other children from being orphaned, were being humiliated on social media.

He described the May 9 events as “the most heart-wrenching” incident in the country’s history. The prime minister highlighted that the “characters behind the tragedy of 1971 met their fate in Bangladesh amidst the recent developments in the country. “

He urged the Ulema to play their role to do away with the division in the society and highlight the Islamic economic system, and said that no force could obstruct the country’s development if the nation was determined to achieve its goal.