Federal Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan Thursday said that the government had started various projects to resolve the issue of load-shedding and reducing its tariff on priority basis.
Speaking at a meeting with officer-bearers of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), he said the government would not be able to control load-shedding fully, but the situation would be better by end of 2016 because of additional generation from ongoing power projects.
“The government has started many projects, including coal and alternative energy sources, whereas now about 70 per cent electricity is being produced from oil,” he said.
He said they were transferring this ratio to other resources including coal. Such projects had been started at Uch, Port Qasim and Gaddani on imported coal. Two more projects, K2 and K3 of 2100 MW, were also started and expected to be completed within three years, he said, adding the Dasu Dam had the capacity of 4300 MW, which was to be started and completed in the tenure of next government.
Projects of alternative energy, including Jhampir Wind project of 150 MW, had also been started to add more power to national grid, he said and added that they were also working on LNG project to meet the shortage of gas.
The legislation would be carried out to set up Land Port Authority in first phase at Wagha, Turkham and Chaman and next phase at Taftan-Iran and Munabao-Khokharapar, he said. He said due to the efforts by the PML-N led government, GSP Plus was extended by the EU to Pakistan for 10 years in which 90 per cent products would be exported at zero duty.
Speaking at the occasion, the President HCCI briefed the minister regarding issues faced by industry and trade including load-shedding and law and order situation.
