ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday hailed a relief package announced by the Punjab provincial government for electricity consumers in Pakistan’s most populous province, Sharif’s office said.
Sharif’s elder brother and three-time former PM, Nawaz Sharif, announced Rs14 reduction in per unit price of electricity for consumers using up to 500 units a month in bills for the months of August and September.
The announcement drew mixed reactions from people, with some saying the government should permanently reduce the tariff and others calling for equal relief across the South Asian country.
“The relief of 14 rupees per unit for consumers who consume up to 500 units of electricity is undoubtedly a public-friendly initiative of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Chief Minister of Punjab,” Sharif was quoted as saying in a statement by his office.
“Work is underway for a long-term solution for reduction in electricity prices and all possible efforts are being made in this regard.”
Pakistan has witnessed protests over inflation and electricity bills in recent weeks, at which protesters demanded the government reduce power tariffs and revoke additional taxes introduced in the last federal budget, amid rising costs-of living in the South Asian nation.
The government raised power prices by 26 percent during the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, before tacking on another 20 percent increase on July 13. Officials say the increases were needed to meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for a $7 billion loan deal reached last month.
The government has also added a confusing bevy of taxes on top of the base price, adding up to a bill that has more than doubled for some Pakistanis.
PM hails Punjab government’s announcement of relief package for power consumers
https://arab.news/cpdc4
PM hails Punjab government’s announcement of relief package for power consumers
- The Punjab government announced Rs14 cut in per unit price of electricity for August and September for consumers using up to 500 units a month
- The announcement drew mixed reactions, with some saying government should permanently reduce tariff and others calling for equal relief nationwide
Pakistan minister urges use of AI to help predict disasters, monitor climate risks
- Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns
- Musadik Malik says Pakistan can use AI models to design interventions that create maximum impact with limited resources
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik on Tuesday urged the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen disaster preparedness and improve monitoring of climate vulnerabilities, saying AI could help the country better manage climate risks.
Pakistan ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change and has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns. In 2022, monsoon floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced another 33 million and caused over $30 billion losses.
Another 1,037 people were killed in massive monsoon floods last year, while record snowfall and rains last month stranded hundreds of tourists and residents in several northern districts of the country.
Malik on Tuesday highlighted the critical role of AI in climate governance, public policy and disaster risk management during a panel discussion at the National Artificial Intelligence Workshop in Islamabad.
"The most significant and impactful application of artificial intelligence lies in its predictive and preventive capabilities," he said in a statement shared by the information ministry, noting that Pakistan faces serious challenges due to sparse and fragmented data that complicates effective policymaking.
"Through AI-based modelling, we can design interventions that create the maximum impact with limited resources."
The statement came a day after Pakistan opened Indus AI Week, which is running till Feb. 15, to align policy direction, industry adoption, talent development, and innovation under a single coordinated framework, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announcing that Islamabad would invest $1 billion in AI by 2030 to modernize the nation’s digital economy.
AI can play a crucial role in identifying climate vulnerabilities on the ground and can function as a watchdog by integrating multiple technologies and monitoring systems, according to Malik. This integration enables early identification of potential disasters, allowing timely and preventive interventions before damage occurs.
He stated AI is driving a global revolution but warned that its upcoming phase, particularly the emergence of AI agents, will have significant implications for employment.
“AI agents are likely to replace certain jobs and functions,” he said. "We must be extremely careful in how we integrate AI into public service and ensure timely and efficient reallocation and reskilling of affected human resources."
The minister noted that while technology can deliver short-term gains, their sustainability depends on innovation.
“One-time productivity can be achieved through technology adoption, but lasting progress requires innovation,” he added.
