Leading Pakistani industrialist and entrepreneur Mian Muhammad Mansha said he is considering buying the Neelum-Jhelum Project which is estimated to produce electricity that would cost 14.5 cents per unit, reported a national newspaper on Friday.
Speaking at a workshop on the upcoming polls organised by Media Advocacy Centre (MAC), Mansha said he was approached by the government to invest in the said project after funds provided by the Asian Development Bank fell short of the required capital.
He said he had declined the offer because he did not consider investing in government projects a wise idea. However, when he was offered the option of buying the whole project, he said he would consider it and will initiate a serious discussion on the deal within a couple of months.
Terming power shortage the biggest issue facing Pakistan, he said the country needed to work its way out of it as soon as possible using all means available such as alternate fuels for thermal energy, wind, solar and run-of-the-river hydel projects instead of going for construction of massive dams.
Talking about the state of affairs in Pakistan and the direction in which he believed they were moving, he said social protection provided by the free media and the independent judiciary caused a paradigm shift in Pakistan for the better which needed continuity.
Talking on the need for a stronger role of media in the field of public policy advocacy, he lauded the initiative taken by MAC Chairman Sikandar Hameed Lodhi.
its good news
its good that private sector coming into play but it shoul be through open bids not govt. offering it to one party only
Exactly, this is favouritism. An open bid system should be offered, let all parties take part, its best for the public.
Bankers taking over the world.
Because governments are apathetic
the cost of the project has gone up because the government is not able to manage it. If the private sector can deliver tis public good at a reasonable price, it would be best for the government to cut its losses and get the private sector in. In terms of bidding, I am sure that the prudent person Mian Mansha is, he will himself prefer the same. However, given the size of the project, at best, it would be industrialists like Mian Mansha who can actually make a meaningful financial and technical contribution. Good luck to all…
Yes why not it should be an open bid system,
this is good . more person come on front
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