Federal Minister for Trade Khurram Dastagir Khan calls on CM Punjab

Lahore: Federal Minister for Trade Khurram Dastagir Khan met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Matters relating to economic development, energy and other projects were discussed in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that resolution of energy crisis as early as possible is essential for the promotion of industrial sector and revival of economy and the government is making sincere efforts for this purpose. He said that completion of Nandipur Power Project, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and coal-based projects of power generation will greatly help in overcoming the shortage of electricity.

Shahbaz Sharif said that former rulers pay no attention to resolving energy crisis and improvement of economy while Pakistan Muslim League-N government through its comprehensive policies and strategy has revived economy. He further said that the government is taking all possible steps for the progress and welfare of the people.

He said that besides Ramazan Package, the government will also take effective administrative measures for ensuring provision of essential items to the people at reasonable rates during Ramzan-ul-Mubarrak.

Federal Trade Minister Khurram Dastagir appreciated the rapid development process in the province and said that due to solid economic policies of the government, the economy has started improving. A delegation led by Ambassador of Denmark Jesper Moller Sorensen and Chief Operating Officer of prominent Denish Company in the field of wind energy VESTAS, Danny Nielsen called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Matters relating to cooperation in generating energy through alternative sources particularly wind energy were discussed during the meeting and Punjab government and Denmark agreed to cooperate in the projects of generating energy through wind.

Talking to the delegation, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is facing serious problem of energy shortage. He said that energy crisis is badly affecting industry, agriculture, education, health, livestock and all sectors of life and causing irreparable loss to economy. He said that government is taking all possible steps for resolving energy crisis at the earliest.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab government is working speedily on the projects of generating electricity through biomass, biogas and solar power. He said that Denmark has expertise and experience in wind energy and Punjab government wants to benefit from Denish technology for generating energy through wind. He said that Denish company should conduct mapping of sites with regard to wind energy projects so that feasibility of the projects could be considered.

He said that Punjab government will extend all possible cooperation to Denish company with regard to wind energy projects. Ambassador of Denmark Jesper Moller Sorensen talking on the occasion said that cooperation will be extended to Punjab government with regard to launching wind energy projects.

Chief Operating Officer of Denish company VESTAS Danny Nielsen said that his company has expertise and experience in generating energy through wind and is working in a number of countries. He said that vast opportunities of generating energy through wind exist in Pakistan and his company is willing to work with Punjab government in this sector.

Provincial Minister for Industry Muhammad Shafique, Additional Chief Secretary Energy and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.