PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stated the Punjab government’s decision to provide Rs14 per unit relief to consumers of up to 500 units remained ‘perplexing’ him as he questions the long-term impact of such steps.

“We welcome the announcement to the extent that it aims to lower electricity costs, but the decision remains perplexing to me,” he said while addressing a ceremony in Karachi on Thursday.

“If short-term relief leads to long-term suffering, such projects are not in the public interest.”

The provincial government launched the ‘Sindh Solar Energy Project’ to distribute solar home systems to 1.6 million low-income households across the province in phases.

Earlier this month, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif announced that the Punjab government would provide Rs14 per unit relief in August and September bills to consumers using up to 500 units of electricity. He claimed that Maryam has diverted funds worth Rs45 billion from the developmental budget to provide relief to the people.

Bilawal recalled the PPP’s ‘long march’ against the PTI-led government, which resulted in a temporary reduction in petrol prices. The PPP chief questioned the rationale behind the PML-N government’s decision, given that no long march or no-confidence motion was currently in sight.

Earlier this week, the PPP and the PML-N had a meeting at the PM House in Islamabad after the Punjab government’s announcement. The Sindh ruling party told the N-league that it was being overlooked by the provincial government.

Bilawal said that he has directed the Sindh chief minister to discuss the electricity relief matter with the prime minister. “If the federal government can convince us of its cheaper electricity plan, we are ready to forego our solar home system project and follow theirs. But if they cannot, then they should support us,” he said.

The PPP chief was of the view that the national interest should take precedence over political agendas when making decisions affecting the fate of the people.

About the solar project, Bilawal claimed that when he initially proposed the idea of providing solar energy to low-income families, it was met with criticism from various quarters, including the media and caretaker government.

He noted with satisfaction that the entire nation has “recognised the need to facilitate the poor with affordable electricity.” He further explained that BISP beneficiaries were the top priority for the initiative, which would eventually be expanded to all districts of Sindh.

According to Bilawal, the K-Electric was receiving the “cheapest electricity” from two Sindh government plants. He added that work was under way on three energy parks in Sindh under public-private partnerships.

“Our vision is for a bright Pakistan, and I have consistently spoken about this during our election campaign,” he said and added that implementing the provision of free 300 units of electricity was feasible. “We can strategically support the lower-income groups. Currently, those consuming less than 200 units of electricity receive subsidies, paying only Rs. 14 per unit.”

The PPP chairman criticised the federal electricity system, stating that not only “is it dysfunctional, but no federal department is operating effectively.” He added that the Federal Board of Revenue was unable to collect taxes, leading to the imposition of taxes through electricity bills, which jolted the public when they received them.

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“We want to provide relief to the people through solar energy, and gradually, by utilising the same subsidy, we aim to bring households onto solar power for up to 300 units at the government’s expense to fulfil our promise of 300 units of free electricity,” he explained.

Bilawal reiterated his desire for a sustainable solution to the electricity crisis and asserted that relief in electricity bills could be achieved through green energy. He highlighted the plight of the people of Larkana, who endure 18 hours of load shedding daily.