- Nawaz invites PTI, PAT to shun politics of agitation, asks them to discuss issues over a cup of tea at PM House
- PM inaugurates Pakistan’s first solar power project costing Rs 15b
“What is the need of the protest now? Are they against the progress of Pakistan? Are they against the development projects in Pakistan? Are they against measures to end corruption, against declining rate of dollar or end of load shedding?”
Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT)’s forthcoming protest on May 11 against election rigging, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that politics of agitation was uncalled for at a time when the country was on a path of progress, and invited those for dialogue who had given a call for protest.
Addressing a huge gathering at Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB) after the inauguration of the country’s first Solar Park Project, the premier said that there was no justification for protests, particularly at a time when the country had embarked on a path of progress and development.
The premier raised a number of questions on the occasion, saying, “What is the need of the protest now? Are they against the progress of Pakistan? Are they against the development projects in Pakistan? Are they against measures to end corruption, against declining rate of dollar or end of load shedding? Why are you doing this? What are your motives?”
Nawaz said that the people of Pakistan have sacrificed a lot and it was time that the country was allowed to move forward. He said the government was working on projects to build motorways, power plants while cutting down on expenses and there was no justification to agitate whatsoever.
The prime minister invited those who planned protest rallies to his house for dialogue to resolve issues amicably. “Come to the Prime Minister’s House. Talk to me, have tea or coffee with me, discuss your issues,” he said in an apparent reference to the PTI leader and recalled, “I too visited you [Imran Khan].”
The premier also dismissed rigging allegations, asking the Skipper to “exhibit some sportsman spirit”.
SOLAR PROJECT INAUGURATED:
The prime minister earlier performed the ground breaking of the country’s first ever Rs 15 billion 100 MW solar power park to provide cheap electricity and help the country meet its increasing energy needs.
The Quaid-e-AzamSolarPark will be expanded to produce 300 MW in second phase by 2015, while in third phase it will add another 600 MW with a total power generation capacity of 1,000 MW by 2016.
The project will be completed by the Chinese company TBEA and produce electricity at per unit cost of Rs 15. The Bank of Punjab is providing 75 percent of funding for the project while the remaining 25 percent will be provided by the Punjab government. The project will have 400,000 solar panels at a cost of US 131 million. A 132 KV transmission line for 400 MW has already been installed, while another 220 KV line to carry another 600 MW will be completed in one-year time.
Nawaz said his government would accomplish the task of meeting country’s energy needs much before the end of tenure of his government. He said the solar power project in Bahawalpur will be operational in few months time and will reach its full capacity of generating 1000 MW in a little over two years time. He said the project reflected love of the PML-N government towards its people and commitment towards their future.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif regretted that the dearth of energy of the past has pushed the country backwards with its industrial and agricultural units shut.
Shahbaz lauded the $32 billion support by China for helping Pakistan in various projects. He expressed the hope that the first module of 10MW of the solar park will be operational before the advent of Ramadan to facilitate the faithful in performance of their religious obligations.
