Private sector would encouraged for electricity production:Sher Ali Khan

Lahore: Provincial Energy Minister Sher Ali Khan has said that steps are being taken on emergent basis for overcoming energy crisis and a comprehensive strategy will be evolved after seeking proposals from all the concerned departments in order to formulate a better policy. Private sector would also be encouraged for enhancing electricity production and their problems would be solved on priority basis, he added.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of cabinet committee set up for reviewing energy problems and making suggestions for their solution at Committee Room of Energy Department today. Member Provincial Assembly Qazi Adnan Faisal, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary I&C besides Additional Secretary Energy and other officers were present on the occasion. Sher Ali Khan said that people have complete confidence in the leadership of Muslim League-N and are keen in making investment for increasing electricity production. He said that Energy Department has completed feasibility report of 18 projects while that of 15 is under process. He further informed that 42 letters of interest have been issued. The Minister said that all ongoing projects are being regularly monitored. He said that provincial and federal governments are making efforts round the clock for overcoming energy crisis as soon as possible. Sher Ali Khan further informed that all possible cooperation will be extended to federal government and no leniency would be shown against electricity theft. He said that instructions have been issued to DCOs of the province to extend cooperation to Chief Executive and Officers of WAPDA in recovery of electricity arrears and checking electricity theft. He said that instructions have also been issued to all the departments relating to energy to maintain record and keep a close contact with each other.

The Minister said that the projects of energy generation from hydel, coal, solar, biogas, biomass and wind are under consideration in Energy Department and expressed the hope that energy crisis will soon be controlled.