Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted that the project aligns with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and reflects PPP’s longstanding commitment to public welfare
By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Fulfilling another promise from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) election manifesto, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has inaugurated an ambitious project to distribute solar home systems to 1.6 million low-income households across Sindh. The initiative, launched under the ‘Awami Muashi Muahida’ (People’s Economic Agreement), represents a significant step towards providing sustainable energy solutions to the underprivileged.
The project’s first phase was unveiled at a ceremony held at the Chief Minister House, where Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized his party’s commitment to addressing public issues through sustainable means. The solar energy project, a key component of the PPP’s 10-point economic agenda, aims to alleviate the burden of expensive electricity and persistent load shedding on low-income families.
Under the project, 200,000 families in two districts of Sindh, identified through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), will receive free solar home systems. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed satisfaction that despite initial criticism from various quarters, including the media and the caretaker government, the need for affordable electricity for the poor is now widely recognized across the nation.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted that the project aligns with the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and reflects PPP’s longstanding commitment to public welfare. He noted that if the PPP had been given a federal mandate, similar initiatives would have been implemented nationwide. The PPP Chairman reiterated the importance of easing the burden on lower-income segments of society, particularly in light of the ongoing electricity crisis.
In his address, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticized the federal electricity system, labeling it dysfunctional, and took aim at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its failure to effectively collect taxes, leading to the imposition of taxes through electricity bills. He stressed that the PPP’s solar energy initiative is part of a broader strategy to provide relief to the public and eventually transition households to solar power for up to 300 units at the government’s expense.
The PPP Chairman also commented on the recent announcement by the Punjab government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to reduce electricity costs for consumers to Rs. 14 per unit. While welcoming the move, he expressed concerns about the long-term implications of such short-term relief measures and questioned the rationale behind the decision.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the Sindh government to continue investing in green energy, such as the Thar Coal project and wind power initiatives, to ensure a sustainable solution to the electricity crisis. He also called for discussions with the federal government to align efforts in providing affordable electricity to the public.
The event was attended by key PPP figures, including Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, and Provincial Minister for Energy Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, among others. The launch of the solar home systems initiative marks a significant milestone in the PPP’s ongoing efforts to support low-income families and promote sustainable development in Sindh.
