PM declares energy emergency
PM has directed concerned authorities to work on war footings to overcome energy crisis.
ISLAMABAD (Agencies) - Declaring emergency situation over the energy crisis crippling the country Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has directed the concerned authorities to work on war footings to overcome the energy crisis in the country.
Chairing a high level meeting here on Monday‚ he said that no laxity will be tolerated in this regard.
Prime Minister further directed to establish a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) to track the progress of these projects.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Water & Power Khwaja Asif, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Minister of State for Water & Power Abid Sher Ali and Special Assistant to PM Dr. Mussadiq Malick.
During the meeting the Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing about the Neelum-Jhelum and Nandi Pur Power projects.
PM ordered timely completion of Nandi Pur, Neelum and Jhelum projects and also approved to set up two power projects at Gaddani and Port Qasim immediately. Punjab Government also agreed for setting up power project at Port Qasim.
Prime Minister was also informed that a coal based power project with the help of Asian Development Bank is being started in Jamshoro and will be completed in 2 years time.
Prime Minister directed that work on these projects be carried on war footing and that he himself considers the strategy of “energy response” as “energy emergency”. Any lapse in implementation would be unacceptable, the PM added. Prime Minister was also briefed on Government’s effort for reduction of line losses.
Prime Minister was also briefed about the medium term initiatives of the Government to overcome the power shortage that include Wind Energy generation of 2000 MW by 2016, CASA project of 1000 MW by 2017, Terbela-V extension project by 2017 and development of 1000 MW power project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park by Government of Punjab. Punjab Government has also agreed to start work on a power plant in Port Qasim
However no decision was made on gas load shedding during winter and PM summoned Cabinet meeting on Oct 26 to consider the matter further.
