Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid on Monday said that the government will give subsidy of Rs 178 billion to the electricity consumers using 200 units per month.
In an interview he said, “It has been decided that the difference between the cost and sale of electricity would end. Currently electricity is being generated at the rate of Rs 15 and sold at Rs 8 per unit. Therefore, the government is giving a subsidy of Rs 6 to Rs 7 per unit. This facillity is for consumers using up to 200 units of power.”
The minister said that all efforts are being made to produce cheap electricity. “The process to install new coal fired power plants and convert the furnace fired power plants to coal have been started,” he added. H stated that the government is focusing on hydel sources but completion of these projects will take up to six to seven years.
He highlighted that friendly countries including China have assured of their help to cope with the prevailing energy crisis. “China has agreed to establish four coal fired power plants with a capacity of 600 MW each at Gadani‚ the coastal area of Balochistan,” he opined. The minister observed that electricity generation has reached a record level of 16,000 MW due to the steps of the present government. He said that 12,000 to 13,000 MW of electricity was being produced when the PML (N) took over which has been increased to 16,000 MW.
When asked about Khunjrab-Kashgar economic corridor the minister said, “The Chinese experts will visit Pakistan soon after Eid to make further headway on this important project. “Completion of this project will bring a new era of progress and prosperity in Gwadar and Balochistan. This project will generate economic activity and open new job opportunities besides giving boost to local industries,” he added.
