The government is making serious efforts to resolve energy crisis being faced by the country as it is directly linked with control of poverty and unemployment besides creation of job opportunities, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while presiding over a high level meeting on Thursday which reviewed energy projects as well as setting up of LNG Power Park.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, secretary petroleum, Sui Northern and Sui Southern Gas Pipelines managing directors, Planning and Development chairman, additional chief secretary energy, secretary finance and officers concerned were present during the meeting.
Shahbaz said that energy crisis has affected national economy as well as economic, trade and social activities. He said that controlling of the problem of shortage of electricity is essential for rapid development of the country, therefore, the government is concentrating on this sector. He said that sincere efforts are being made for overcoming energy problem and besides traditional methods, due attention is also being paid to the alternative sources of power generation.
The chief minister further said that a 100 megawatts power project of the government in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalapur is in final stages of completion and the provincial government has set up this project with its own resources. He said that planning has also been made for generation of electricity with LNG in Punjab and a project has been evolved for establishment of LNG Power Park in the province. He said that LNG power projects will be executed speedily and transparently while a high standard will also be maintained. He said that solution of the problem of shortage of electricity is the top priority of the government and energy projects are being implemented without wasting any time.
He said that the goal of economic development cannot be achieved without energy, adding that development of economy is of vital importance for controlling extremism and terrorism.
He said that work is also being carried out on coal, solar and wind power projects for resolving energy crisis.
GONDAL MEETS CM:
Meanwhile, coordinator to CM on energy Shahid Riaz Gondal called on the chief minister.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the government is making serious efforts for coping with energy crisis and its sincere efforts will bear fruits. He said that solid measures have been taken for promotion of investment in energy sector in Punjab.
Shahid Riaz Gondal expressed the confidence that the federal government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will succeed in ridding the country of the menace of load shedding.
