All out efforts are being made for ridding the energy crisis: CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that all out efforts are being made for ridding the country of energy crisis. He said that with the cooperation of China, the nation will be brought out of darkness. He said that planning has been made for setting up of new projects of ten to twelve thousand megawatt from hydle, thermal, coal, solar and other alternate sources by 2017 and some projects are being implemented speedily.

He expressed these views while addressing a special committee set up by prime minister regarding energy at Islamabad today. Federal Minister for planning & development Ahsan Iqwbal, Minister for Railways Kh. Saad Rafiq, Advisor on Foreign affairs Tariq Fatmi besides secretaries of Finance, Water & Power, Planning, Pakistan Railways, Ports & Shipping Corporation and concerned ministries as well as senior officers were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said that if there is electricity in the country the wheel of agriculture and industry will be moving on and the economy of country will be strengthened. He said that government will control energy crisis at all costs and all possible facilities are being provided to foreign investors for this purpose. He said that Chinese investment companies have shown interest in investment in projects of generating electricity especially through coal in Pakistan and after agreements with foreign companies practical work has been started. He said that comprehensive system of supply and demand of coal for the projects of generating energy through coal in Punjab has been evolved with the cooperation of Pakistan Railways.

Minister for Railways Kh. Saad Rafiq while addressing the meeting said that Pakistan Railways will extend every possible cooperation for the transportation of coal from Port Qasim and Karachi Port for electricity generating projects from coal.

Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that all concerned ministries should give final shape to their viable proposals and necessary preparation till July 26, for the meeting of working group of Pak-China Energy experts to be held from August 4 to 7 so that on-going and proposed energy projects could be implemented speedily.

The meeting was informed that about 16 million ton capacity will be created for stocking and supply of coal at Port Qasim and coal discharge system will be completed with the participation of private sector.