Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed that power projects must be fast-tracked on top priority to provide relief to the people at the earliest. He said Pakistan was tapping all sources of energy to increase power generation at affordable rates.
The prime minister said this while chairing 9th meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) at the PM House Thursday.
The prime minister directed the committee that steps should be taken on immediate basis for early start of the 1680 km Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline which would be immensely beneficial in providing energy security to the region.
He was pleased to note that after his other day’s meeting with petroleum ministers of concerned countries it was agreed that timelines would be set for this project. He said that a timeline of power situation forecast for both short- and long-terms should be presented to the committee and followed properly.
The committee gave approval for starting negotiations with Malaysia, China, Algeria, Nigeria, and Trinidad for import of LNG. Negotiations in this regard are already under way with Qatar. Further, it was decided that an improved mechanism would be devised for LNG payments on regular basis to avoid any complications in this regard.
The CCE also approved government-to-government negotiations with Russia, Qatar and China for the construction of North-South gas pipeline. This 42-inch pipeline will be laid along the new alignment of N-5.
The prime minister was informed that negotiations were underway with Iran but due to international sanctions on the country, import of electricity from Iran would not be possible in the short term. The CCE gave approval for official inclusion of Gwadar-Nawabshah gas pipeline into Early Harvest Program of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The ministers for water and power and petroleum and natural resources briefed the committee on setting up of 3600 MW power generation plant based on re-gassified LNG. The committee was informed that the LNG terminal at Port Qasim would be completed next month.
The prime minister directed that work on preparing feasibility studies and sorting out modalities should be completed as soon as possible. He directed both the ministries to give a detailed presentation in this regard next week.
The prime minister gave in-principle approval for allocating funds in PSDP for financing of this project.
The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) secretary gave the meeting an overview of the energy active portfolio and briefed about the generic issues causing delays in utilisation of funds. The prime minister took notice of the un-utilised funds relating to generation, transmission and distribution projects and directed the EAD and relevant ministries to expedite the foreign-funded projects.
I agree with the writer 100%. During Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to AK on 05 Febuary, he said “special funding arrangement was made for the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project so that it could complete without further delay.” Unfortunately, the project has been delayed for one year due to non-funding by government. http://www.brecorder.com/top-stories/0/1148230/#c…
Unfortunately we are suffering from credibility loss? Our PM and Finance Minister of both governments are responsible for loss of credibility due to poor planning , management and overriding personal interest over national interests. They MAKE THE NATION FOOL about completion of present on-going and future power projects without timely releasing of funds. Neelum-Jehlum Hydropower Project is the classical example of mismanagement and poorly funding by previous as well as present governments. According to Managing Director Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Company General Zubair, they are facing a financing gap of $475 million. Phase –I of the project will be completed by Dec 2016 instead of Dec 2015 due to non-funding in last 3 years by previous as well as present government.
On 24 May, 2014 Mr Iqbal Ahsan Minister for Planning, Developments and Reforms posted a statement regarding release of Rs. 14 Billion for Neelum-Jehlum Hydropower Project the approval of Prime Minister of Pakistan on Facebook and Twitter, which was well projected by all print, electronic and social media. … http://fb.me/2TDgtFfcx
However, it is fact that no funds have been released so far AFTER THE PASSAGE OF NINE MONTHS.
How these projects will be completed on time as project’s timely completion need funds and not wishful thinking? Suppliers of this project are facing financial death due to non-payment by Government since 3 years. Moreover, government’s wrong priorities based on self-interest is forcing them to invest heavily in METRO Project and coal project as Nanadi Pur to produce costly electricity i.e. Rs 36 per unit against Rs 2.5 per unit from Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project. http://www.brecorder.com/fuel-a-energy/193/124000…
Is making the nation fool by hiding facts is a pride for the federal government?
The Pakistani government has idled power plants that could be brought on line because of political vendetta's. Sounds incredible but it is true. I own one such plant. Any journalist that wants the facts can reach me at [email protected]. It is amazing that this government can continue to use words instead of actions to deceive Pakistani citizens about not only what they are doing but what their intentions are. This is all about power, but not the electrical kind.
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