The National Assembly on Wednesday was informed that the government has reduced duration of electricity load shedding by six to seven hours.
The NA resumed its session in Islamabad with Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi in the chair.
Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the House during question hour that 1,700MW electricity has been added to the national grid following payment of circular debt by the government.
He said equitable load shedding is being ensured across the country as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
He said the government is committed to eradicating power theft and smart metres were being introduced in this regard.
Referring to the government’s measures to enhance electricity generation‚ he said the government was pursuing a two-pronged policy, comprising supply-side measures and demand-side measures, to bring an end to load shedding.
He said over 4,600MW will be added to the national grid in the short term. He said work on Neelum-Jhelum and Nandipur power projects has been expedited to produce cheap electricity.
He pointed out that demand of electricity has increased more than 50 percent in the last seven years and short and long-term efforts were being made to bridge the demand and supply gap. All sources, including hydro and alternative energy are being explored for this purpose.
He told the House that the Water and Power Development Authority has prepared a master plan to construct small and big dams to meet energy crisis.
The minister assured the House that load shedding would be completely eradicated before the end of the government’s tenure. He said efforts would be made to end load shedding before the given timeframe.
He said private sector is being encouraged to invest in alternative energy power projects. Letter of intents have been issued to nine companies for generation of 421MW in this regard.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that Utility Stores Corporation has reduced the prices of more than 1500 items from 5 to 10 percent.
Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousuf informed the House that 143,000 pilgrims would perform Hajj this year under the government and private schemes.
He said efforts were being made to provide maximum facilities to pilgrims, including quality accommodation and transport service. He said Pakistan International Airlines has been directed to avoid any delay in Hajj flights.
