- Premier says comprehensive relief package for electricity bills would be finalized after ongoing talks with IMF
- Says bills already paid by affected people to be adjusted next month
- Says centre, provincial institutions fully engaged in rescue and rehabilitation efforts
LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced immediate relief for flood-affected families, directing electricity distribution companies to stop collecting August 2025 power bills in the flood-devastated regions.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the matter, the prime minister said a comprehensive relief package for electricity bills would be finalized after ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He added that bills already paid by flood-affected consumers for August would be adjusted in the following month’s billing cycle.
Highlighting the devastation, PM Shehbaz said millions of people had been displaced or affected across Pakistan. “In this difficult time, we are making every possible effort to ease the pain of our people. We will not rest until every flood victim has returned to their home,” he stressed.
The prime minister added that federal and provincial institutions were fully engaged in rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Leghari Welcomes PM’s Decision
Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari hailed the announcement as a “timely and people-friendly decision,” confirming that August bills in flood-affected areas stand waived and that funds already collected would be refunded.
“The Power Division will ensure immediate implementation of this,” Leghari said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Moeen Wattoo said water pressure at Punjab’s barrages was easing.
According to a ministry statement, the prime minister is personally monitoring the flood situation. It reported a very high flood at Panjnad Barrage with levels gradually decreasing, a low-level flood at Sulemanki on the Sutlej with levels continuously falling, and a normal water level in the Chenab from Marala to Trimmu.
