- Sharif says PML-N govt will overcome power crisis before term ends
- Inaugurates 1,230 MW gas power project at Haveli Bahadur Shah near Jhang
- Praises brother Shehbaz Sharif, tells detractors not to hinder development projects with uncalled for criticism
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the menace of electricity load shedding will be eliminated by 2017-18 after the completion of power projects initiated by the government, as he criticised his political opponents for creating hurdles in public welfare programmes and other mega projects.
He was speaking after inaugurating work on a 1230-megawatt LNG power project at Haveli Bahadur Shah near Jhang on Friday.
Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong were also present on the occasion.
A total Rs 37 billion will be saved through transparency and better management of this project. The plant, after completion, will save a lot of money every year through its outstanding production capability, said the premier.
Sharif observed that load shedding has already decreased by 50 per cent in the country because of the steps taken by the government. He said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government is completing a number of power projects, run through various sources of energy, including water, solar, coal, gas and wind.
He said that another new power plant project would be inaugurated at Balloki soon.
He said that the government is delivering on all fronts. He said a new culture of transparency has been introduced in the country under which huge savings have been ensured from the estimated costs of new power projects. Through this practice, the government has saved Rs 110 billion on three LNG power plants, he added.
Sharif said work is also in progress on a pipeline that runs from the country’s coasts to these LNG plants. He said that transmission lines would also be laid to transmit electricity to the national grid.
The prime minister said that power generation is not the only objective of these projects. They are also meant to supply cheaper electricity to domestic consumers, and aid industries.
“Those who sit on TV and say this government is not delivering should open their eyes and see the development taking place around them,” he said.
The prime minister heaped praise on the untiring efforts of his younger brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, concerned ministers, and high officials in establishing these projects.
He said that the lights of Karachi have also been restored, since the law and order situation in the city has improved, and foreign investor are now coming to make investment in the country.
The prime minister said work is also ongoing on new hydel projects like Bhasha, Bunji and Dasu. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would bring prosperity to all areas of Pakistan.
