Government is working on war footing on energy:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that PML-N government is working on war footing on traditional and alternate sources of energy. He said that energy crisis can be reduced by setting up power plants running through coal and biomass. He said that all sources would be benefited for resolving energy crisis. The Chief Minister said that a strategy with regard to setting up biomass and coal power plants is being evolved. He assured that Punjab government would provide all possible facilities to the industrialists for promotion of exports and talks would be held with the federal government for resolving the problems of garment exporters.

He expressed these views while visiting garments factory Nishat Apparel, Nishat Biomass and power plant running with coal and other factories of Nishat Group at Rohi Nala on Ferozpur Road today. Chairman Nishat Group Mian Muhammad Mansha gave a briefing to the Chief Minister about garments factory and exports. Provincial Minister for Industry Ch. Muhammad Shafique, Provincial Minister Population Welfare Zakia Shahnawaz, Secretaries of Industry, Labour, and Women Development Departments and other concerned officials were also present on the occasion. Shahbaz Sharif visited various factories for more than two and a half hours.

Talking on the occasion of visiting industrial units of Nishat Group, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that energy crisis has affected every section of life. He said that no serious steps were taken for electricity production during the era of previous government.

The Chief Minister said that not only, no effort was made to enhance the electricity production according to the demand but a huge circular debt was also left. He said that PML-N government was fully aware of the difficulties of industrial sector and the common man due to load-shedding and his today’s visit was to review the projects of generating energy through coal and biomass. Shahbaz Sharif opined that energy crisis could not be overcome only through traditional methods but attention would also have to be paid to the alternate sources. He said that vast reserves of coal exist in the country. He said that PML-N government will launch electricity projects by utilizing these sources.

The Chief Minister said that government is considering launching of short term, mid-term and long term projects with the cooperation of private sector and through implementation of these projects, not only load-shedding would be reduced but new job opportunities would also be created. During the briefing, Shahbaz Sharif was told that electricity could also be generated through waste of chickens and this is a cheap fuel. He was also given briefing about power plants running through biomass and coal by various countries.

The Chief Minister appreciating the role of industrial sector said that the industrialists of Pakistan are playing important role for the development and prosperity of the country. He said that textile sector plays most important role in exports of the country. He said that foreign exchange can be further increased by resolving problems of this sector. He said that there is great potential of exports of Pakistani garments in Europe and America. He said that huge foreign exchange can be earned by enhancing exports of Pakistani garments.

The Chief Minister said that the industrialists should submit such practicable proposals through which exports could be enhanced and country’s economy strengthened.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister directed to consider the setting up of treatment plant for the disposal of industrial waste and construction of Rohi Nala Road.