hore:Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that energy crisis has badly affected every sector of life. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government is making sincere efforts on war footing for overcoming shortage of electricity and the promise to rid the people of the menace of load-shedding will be honoured at any cost. He said that every moment of the nation is precious therefore efforts are being made expeditiously for controlling load-shedding as the present leadership considers itself accountable to the masses.
He was presiding over a high level meeting for controlling energy crisis and launching of power generation projects with alternative sources at Model Town. Provincial Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Energy Minister Chaudhary Sher Ali Khan, Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed, Special Assistant Muhammad Arshad Jutt, Advisors Azm-ul-Haq Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Chief Secretary, experts and other concerned authorities were present on the occasion. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that energy crisis is indeed a big challenge but there is a need to change it into opportunity as the nation cannot afford wastage of even a single moment. He directed that practicable projects be presented for resolving energy crisis. He further directed that comprehensive recommendations be submitted to him regarding the projects for generation of energy from traditional as well as alternative sources. He said that speedy progress will be made for launching energy projects from coal, biomass, biogas, solar as well as other sources. He said that work should be started with a focused approach on short, medium and long term projects. He said that there is a need to streamline the system for initiating energy projects. He made it clear that in view of the problems of the masses, industrialists and farmers no negligence will be tolerated regarding energy project. He said that there is a need for serious efforts in this regard as he is interested only in results. He said that existing obsolete system will have to be changed for motivating investors to launch energy projects. He directed that a report be presented to him after reviewing the solar system set up in the Indian state of Haryana. He also directed to form a cabinet committee on energy. The Chief Minister expressed his displeasure over the lengthy and irrelevant briefing given by the concerned authorities and sought final recommendations within seven days regarding practicable projects.