Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a major relief package for Pakistan’s industrial sector, including a reduction of Rs4.40 per unit in electricity tariffs. The move aims to ease the cost pressure on businesses and exporters.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad honouring leading exporters and industrialists, the prime minister said the government’s role was to support industry, not to run businesses.
He also announced a reduction in wheeling charges for industries to below Rs9 per unit. Shehbaz said he wanted to cut tariffs further but acknowledged fiscal limitations.
“If it were entirely up to me, I would reduce electricity prices by another Rs10 per unit,” he said.
The prime minister announced a sharp cut in the Export Refinance Scheme rate. The rate has been reduced from 7.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent.
The measure will provide exporters with cheaper working capital through the State Bank of Pakistan and support export-led growth. Shehbaz said the step reflected the government’s focus on reviving industrial activity and improving competitiveness.
وزیراعظم شہبازشریف کا صنعتوں کیلئے بجلی کی قیمت میں 4 روپے 4 پیسے کمی کا اعلان pic.twitter.com/YnCySZBdCu
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) January 30, 2026The prime minister said Pakistan’s economy had stabilised after a difficult period. He noted that inflation had fallen to single digits and the policy rate stood at 10.5 percent. He added that foreign exchange reserves had doubled, though they were supported by friendly countries.
Shehbaz acknowledged the role of key partners, including China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. He said China had rolled over billions of dollars to help Pakistan during a critical phase.
Despite the progress, the prime minister admitted that challenges persist. He cited rising unemployment and slower export growth as key concerns.
Read: Electricity Tariff May Rise by 48 Paisa per Unit in Pakistan
“Stability has returned, but conditions are not yet ideal,” he said, adding that further reductions in the policy rate were necessary to expand industrial capacity.
Shehbaz also highlighted broader reforms. He said the government was reducing taxes, cracking down on smuggling, and cutting unnecessary spending. The premier revealed that action in the sugar sector generated Rs50 billion in additional revenue. He added that measures against petrol smuggling were now bringing in Rs12 billion per month.
