Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the federal government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has started work on various energy projects to remove darkness from the country and the day is not far off when the nation will be rid of power shortage.
Talking to assembly members, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office-bearers and workers of different districts on Tuesday, the CM said that those opposing relief projects aimed for the masses and hindering progress should be aware that the journey of public service will not stop and the PML-N government “will steer the country out of problems and transform it into a welfare state”.
Sharif said that the PML-N government and leadership would honour every promise it had made to the people and come up to their expectations at all costs. He said that former rulers had neglected the people’s problems and ignored the issues confronted by the country.
“Instead of redressing people’s grievances, the former rulers indulged in corruption and nepotism while merit was flouted,” he said, adding that due to negligence and poor policies of the former government, the energy crisis took a serious form and economy, agriculture and industrial sectors suffered heavy losses.
Shahbaz said that the PML-N’s promise to eliminate darkness from the country would be fulfilled at any cost. “The federal government is working on several energy projects,” he said, adding that foreign investors are taking interest in investment in Pakistan and power projects of 20,000 MW will be completed with the cooperation of China.
PUNJAB ENERGY PROJECTS: Meanwhile, the CM announced that the Punjab government is also implementing a massive power generation program.
“The foundation stone of the first solar power park has been laid in Bahawalpur, where 1000 MW of electricity will be produced,” Shahbaz said.
He said that in the first phase, the production of 100 MW of electricity would begin from December 2014.
Shahbaz also announced that work on coal power projects with a capacity to generate 1320 MW of electricity would be started later this month in Sahiwal.
Overcoming the energy crisis is essential for controlling poverty and unemployment, promotion of trade and economic activities, strengthening of industrial sector and placing the national economy on sound foundations. He said that keeping in view the seriousness of the issue, the PML-N government is working round the clock to resolve the energy crisis.
Shahbaz said that serving the masses is the crux of PML-N’s politics and it was making its best efforts in this regard for the last six years. Sharif said that he would continue to serve the masses till his last breath.
“Punjab will be made a model province with regard to progress and development,” said Shahbaz, adding that the national economy is improving due to solid economic policies of the PML-N.
