Sindh govt responsible for Karachi deaths, Khawaja Asif tells NA
Power Minister Khawaja Asif addressed the National Assembly today.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif on Wednesday stated that deaths in Karachi occurred due to intense heatwave and it is inappropriate to hold the federal government responsible for the tragedy.
Addressing the National Assembly, the Minister said opponents have event put the blame of Sindh’s bad governance on him.
Khawaja Asif further remarked that the government tried its best to improve power situation in last three days.
“I did not promise to end load shedding within six months,” he added.
He said the Federal Government is grieved over loss of lives Karachi but Sindh government is responsible for this.
He said the responsibility of providing electricity to consumers in Karachi rests with K-Electric. 650 MW is being provided to the K-Electric keeping in view of the difficulties of the people of the provincial metropolis.
He said that this private entity owes Rs57 billion to Sui Southern, Sui Northern and the PSO.
Earlier today, the House adopted a motion moved by Khawaja Asif to discuss the situation arising out of energy and electricity crisis in the country.
In the motion, the Minister clarified that the government has started several power projects to cope with the energy crisis.
He said that 14,000 to 15,000 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by 2018. 1,020 MW will be added to the system in 2015-16, 4,692 MW in 2016-17 and 5,142 MW in 2018.
He said additional 3,600 MW will be generated through LNG.
The Minister said massive investment is also being made to improve the transmission system in order to provide uninterrupted electricity to the consumers.
He said three grid stations of 500 KV and 11 grid stations of 220 KV are being set up in the country.
