Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has slammed the government for discouraging solar energy, questioning why Rs22 per unit solar power is deemed expensive, while Rs60 per unit grid electricity is considered affordable.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, the Awam Pakistan Party leader pointed out that the prime minister himself once encouraged solar adoption, yet the government is now making it difficult for households to install solar systems.

He criticised the imposition of new taxes on solar energy users, arguing that people are already taking loans to install solar panels at home, and additional taxes will only increase their burden.

Miftah Ismail sarcastically remarked, “Wherever Bhutto emerged from, solar panels will be installed there.”

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He accused the government of shifting the financial burden onto 300,000 consumers while ignoring losses from power theft and poor bill recovery.

He further emphasised that if the government wants people to buy electricity, it should lower the rates, rather than penalising those seeking alternatives.