Rs25bn allocated in Sindh budget to reduce power costs through solarisation: Nasir

Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Monday announced that Rs25 billion was allocated in the provincial budget to provide relief to the public by reducing electricity costs through solarisation.

Shah thanked the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman and the chief minister for spearheading the initiative. He said it was the PPP chief’s vision to provide affordable and, where possible, free electricity to people, especially to underprivileged and low-income households.

He added that the government is actively working to distribute solar panels, and implement solarisation initiatives across the province, with his energy department prioritising all the necessary steps.

He also said that various public welfare schemes would be executed through the block budget incorporated in the fiscal plan. He emphasised that the Sindh government holds a clear majority in the provincial assembly, and does not require external support to pass the budget.

Criticising the opposition’s conduct during the CM’s budget speech, Shah said their behaviour was unethical, and violated prior agreements regarding speech timings. “They crossed all limits by obstructing the CM’s dais. Leadership should not be targeted, and even the opposition had agreed on this point.”

He said elected representatives are the voice of the people, and development schemes proposed by assembly members would be included through block allocations. He described the opposition’s protest style in the assembly as unusual and disruptive.

Referring to an incident involving PA opposition leader Ali Khurshidi, he said false claims were made when Khurshidi approached PPP leader Faryal Talpur, who dismissed the opposition’s approach as inappropriate.

Shah reiterated that the PPP has delivered development projects across Sindh without discrimination. The party’s performance has been recognised by people, with particular attention now being given to Karachi, he added.

On international matters, he said the PPP does not support war, but acknowledged the recent destruction of Israeli military installations. “Muslims across the world are pleased to see the damage inflicted on Israel.”