Islamabad (Khyber Point)The federal government has decided to extend significant relief to flood-affected citizens by easing the burden of electricity bills. According to official sources, authorities are considering the removal of General Sales Tax (GST), Fuel Cost (FC) surcharge, and fixed charges from the monthly bills of households hit hardest by recent floods.
Proposals under review also include the withdrawal of sales tax and excise duty on fuel price adjustments, in addition to eliminating income tax, supplementary charges, and retailer sales tax from electricity bills. The move comes as part of broader efforts to support communities that have suffered widespread devastation from recent flooding.
Punjab remains among the worst-affected regions, where vast agricultural lands have been submerged and hundreds of thousands of residents displaced. The government’s initiative is being viewed as an essential measure to ease the financial strain on both urban and rural households struggling to recover.
This development follows political pressure from various stakeholders. Just a day earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the government to declare an agricultural emergency and grant full exemption of power bills for farmers. His appeal highlighted the double blow of destroyed crops and mounting utility costs, which have left farmers particularly vulnerable.
Officials stress that the relief package is still under discussion and will be finalized after consultations between the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, and other relevant departments. Analysts note that while the decision may ease household burdens, it could also pose fiscal challenges for the government at a time of already strained economic conditions.
Nonetheless, the planned relief reflects a recognition of the urgent need to provide immediate economic respite to those hit hardest by natural disasters
