The Punjab government’s Rs14 per unit electricity subsidy would be financed through the provincial budget, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday.

“I am speaking to put an end to the propaganda spread by those responsible for the current economic crisis,” she said at a press conference in Islamabad.

“[Due to the propaganda], they are inciting conflicts between provinces, so it was important to clarify today that the Punjab government is providing relief from its own budget.”

Her presser comes after criticism from the opposition over the relief in electricity tariff.

On Friday, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif said that the Punjab government would provide Rs14 per unit relief in August and September bills to consumers using up to 500 units of electricity.

While praising her daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the former prime minister stated that she diverted funds worth Rs45 billion from the developmental budget to provide relief to the people.

This announcement came after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority increased electricity tariffs by Rs2.56 per unit last week, marking a second consecutive rise following a Rs3.33 per unit hike for fuel adjustments in May. The increased bills have particularly impacted lifeline consumers using 51-100 units and those in the protected category, resulting in unexpectedly high rates that exceed their actual consumption.

Aurangzeb clarified that funding for the subsidy was being achieved by reducing overall expenditures and reallocating money from various programmes. She mentioned that the Energy Department was providing estimates to assist the provincial government in meeting its financial goals.

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She reiterated Nawaz’s call for other provinces to reduce their expenditures and extend similar relief to their citizens, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.

Aurangzeb highlighted that improved governance and policy changes have enabled the Punjab government to offer affordable bread to its residents. But she criticised the spread of misinformation and politicisation surrounding the recent power tariff reduction.

While blaming the previous PTI administration for soaring electricity prices, Aurangzeb absolved the incumbent federal government of responsibility. She outlined various achievements of the Punjab government since taking office, including a Ramazan relief package and a laptop scheme, encouraging other provinces to adopt similar initiatives.