Speaker National Assembly calls on Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Speaker National Assembly Sirdar Ayaz Sadiq called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, at Model Town here today. Matters of mutual interest and other important issues were discussed in the meeting. Talking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Muslim League-N believes in stability of democracy as well as democratic institutions. He said that people have given mandate to PML-N in general election for the solution of their problems. He said that PML-N immediately after coming into power started taking steps for controlling load-shedding and resolving other issues. He said that every promise made to the people will be honoured. He said that tough divisions will have to be taken for the stability of national economy.

Referring to energy crisis, the Chief Minster said that the former rulers only generated commission instead of electricity during the last five years. He said that the nation suffered the agony of load-shedding and the country was plunged in darkness but the former rulers remained indifferent. He said that present leadership promised to the people to control load-shedding and they will be rid of this problem. He said that circular debt of electricity has gone beyond Rs. 500 billion but the promise to eliminate circular debt within sixty days will be fulfilled. He said that the rich have no right over subsidy on electricity. He said that it is ironic that both rich and the poor are benefiting from subsidy on electricity. He said that the cost of production of electricity can be reduced by generating power from alternative sources. He said that Punjab government has made planning to produce electricity from solar energy, biomass, biogas and coal with the cooperation of private sector.

He said that provincial government is evolving a 5-year energy policy with the consultation of stakeholders. He said that the proposed visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to China is also going to help in overcoming economic problems.

The Chief Minister further said that besides generation of electricity, controlling power-theft and line losses is also essential. He said that Punjab government will play an effective role in curbing electricity theft and a taskforce has been formed for this purpose.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Nandipur power project is pending for the last two and half years due to corruption and greed of the former rulers and its cost of construction has increased from Rs.22 billion to Rs.57 billion. He said that the Chinese company has again been invited to resume work on Nandipur Power project and its officials visited Pakistan recently. He said that PML-N government is taking revolutionary measures for overcoming energy crisis.