CM Punjab reviews the pace of progress on ongoing projects of energy

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting which reviewed the pace of progress on ongoing projects of energy and infrastructure in the province.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that all out efforts are being made for coping with energy crisis and work is being carried out expeditiously on power projects. He said that 1320-megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power Project will start production in 2017 and work is in progress on the project round the clock. He said that foundation stone of three gas-based energy projects has been laid in Punjab and it will produce 3600 megawatts electricity.

Shehbaz Sharif said that a high standard of transparency has been set in gas power projects under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and 110 billion rupees of the nation have been saved. He said that there is no other example of saving of such a huge amount in the history of Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that projects are being implemented expeditiously while transparency and high standard is also being maintained and no compromise will be made in this regard. He said that funds of billions of rupees are being provided for infrastructure development in the province. He said that completion of projects in infrastructure sector will result in availability of modern facilities to the citizens while trade and business activities will also accelerate.

He said that with the completion of several energy projects in 2017, thousands of megawatt electricity would be added to national grid which will help in controlling load-shedding. Shehbaz Sharif directed concerned authorities to continue work expeditiously on projects while a high standard should also be ensured.

Provincial Minister for Finance Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary Khizer Hayat Gondal, former minister Shaukat Tareen, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Musaddaq Malik, Chairman Punjab Power Development Company Arif Saeed, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned secretaries and senior authorities attended the meeting.