Karachi Matters Editor
Senior journalist and columnist Asif Mahmood wrote in a Facebook post questioning the purpose behind the announcement of reducing electricity prices only for Punjab. He pointed out that if electricity prices are to be reduced, it should happen across the entire country, so why single out Punjab? Furthermore, why was this announcement made by Nawaz Sharif?
There seems to be only one logical answer, which is that the credit for this electricity issue is being taken away from Naeem-ur-Rehman and Nawaz Sharif is being portrayed as the savior who initiated the reduction, forcing all provinces to follow suit.
This isn’t the 1990s anymore, everyone knows that the only person who took a stand on the electricity issue is Naeem-ur-Rehman. This narrative is his. The pressure has increased because of him, and it’s because of him that this issue has become a part of the political discourse.
It’s now difficult for Nawaz Sharif to be cast as the hero in this situation. Discussions should be issue-based, and opinions shouldn’t be influenced by bias.
Naeem-ur-Rehman took up the electricity issue, and he alone took it up. He should have been supported, and to an extent, he was. Now that electricity prices are being reduced, it’s proving that the agreement was effective. This success belongs to Naeem-ur-Rehman. The government’s decision is good, but starting with Punjab and making Nawaz Sharif the face of the decision is not the right message to send.
