Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday said the government had been making sincere efforts to resolve the energy crisis and a number of projects, especially in the hydro sector, were in progress, adding that the power shortage should not be used for political motives.
Addressing a function after inaugurating tunnel breaking machines at the Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project, the prime minister said, “Every one should join hands to find the solution to the energy crisis, instead of doing politics on this issue.” The prime minister said President Asif Ali Zardari had been taking personal interest in finding a permanent solution to the energy crisis.
He said the president had directed the government to focus on increasing power generation, especially hydel, which was the cheapest mode.
Ashraf said the government was also working to genearte electricity through alternative resources like solar and wind.
He said thermal power generation was costly and the government was providing Rs 209 billion annual subsidy.
He regretted that the previous governments did not pay any attention to improve the power generation in the country. Ashraf said though the present government added more than 3,000MW to the national grid, the country was still facing power shortage due to huge demand. The prime minister said he was pleased to observe that work on the Neelum Jhelum project was in full swing despite some problems during initial stages. He said the project that would generate about 1,000MW would help reduce load shedding in the country. He said the 65 km-tunnel would be the first experience in the country and its powerhouse would be underground. The water of Neelum would be diverted to Jhelum river, besides producing 1,000MW, he added.
He appreciated the contribution of Pakistani and Chinese engineers and especially thanked China for cooperation and assistance in the project. Referring to the energy crisis, the prime minister said the government was sincerely taking practical steps to overcome it.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said the government had initiated a number of projects that would generate 20,000MW of electricity in the next couple of years. He said that presently the hydel sector’s share was 32 percent and the government had planned to increase the share to 66 percent by 2025.
In any civilized soceity electricity is a basic requirement. You as chief executive have obligation not to deprive people of this basiic requirement. You have failed miserably and gullty of breach of public trust. You cannot imagine how miserable it is to be without this basic requirement in this weather during month of ramzan. Instaed of providing this to people you indulged in corruption. which resulted misery to people. You should be charge for crime against humanity in court of law.
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