Former LCCI Senior Vice President and former Chairman Poultry Association Abdul Basit has urged the government to concentrate on electricity production instead of wasting time in evolving methodologies to conserve electricity. In a statement issued here Tuesday, the Abdul Basit said that though electricity conservation is a good step but not the solution of energy crisis. Government has to enhance power generation through hydel resources. He said that government should start work on hydel projects on war footing as the electricity crisis is getting worse with every passing day. He said that massive electricity load shedding has not only crippled the business activities but also forced the nation to take the streets.
Abdul Basit also urged the government to improve its balance of payment as non-payment to the IPPs is one of the biggest reasons of unprecedented electricity crisis in the country. He called upon the government to start work on mega water projects including Kalabagh Dam if it wants to save the country from further plunging into darkness and for the sake of future generations. He said that suggestions to observe two weekly holidays and installation of energy savers would not help run industrial wheel rather it would further slow down economic activity in the country. Abdul Basit alleged that the enemies of Pakistan were spending all their energies to push Pakistan on the brink of starvation but the nation would have to show solidarity to foil their nefarious designs.
The LCCI former Senior Vice President said that those who are making hue and cry against construction of water reservoirs were the enemies of the country as they know well that Pakistan could reach the zenith provided it builds water reservoirs. The LCCI former Senior Vice President said that the electricity shortage was not only impacting upon Industrial sector but also hitting the Agriculture sector hard.
He said that there was a time when electricity generated in Pakistan had a bigger hydle energy share in the energy mix and today the situation was other way round. More than half of the electricity is being generated through hydro power that is an unjustified proportion by all means for a country like Pakistan.
