LAHORE, July 18 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday said that a lot of work had been done under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to cope with energy crisis.
He said that power projects were delayed due to sit-ins staged by the elements against development of the country and prosperity of masses.
He said that energy projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor were being speedily implemented and 1320 megawatts Sahiwal Coal Power Plant would be completed much before stipulated period. He said that power production from this project would start from the beginning of next year. He said that a coal power plant of 1320 megawatts was usually completed in four to five years.
He said that federal and Punjab governments and concerned institutions were working round the clock for early completion of energy projects.
He was addressing a high level meeting through video link, here.
The Chief Minister said that former rulers paid no attention to the solution of people’s problems and misappropriated national resources in the name of development projects. He said that had the former rulers paid attention to resolving energy crisis, the country would not have been plunged into darkness.
Shehbaz Sharif said that work was continuing expeditiously on 3600 megawatts gas-based power projects in Punjab and these projects had been obtained at the lowest rate in the contemporary history. He said that saving of 112 billion rupees had been made on these projects while funds of billions of rupees had been saved in development projects through transparency. He said that gas-based energy projects would result in availability of low cost electricity to the masses. He said that work on solar projects was also in progress.
The Chief Minister said that thousands of megawatts electricity would be generated with the completion of several energy projects till 2018 which would fulfill electricity requirements while industrial and agriculture sectors would also progress.
He said that the sincere efforts of the government would prove fruitful and darkness would soon be removed from the country.
The Chief Minister said that journey of progress and development started under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was continuing and the problems being faced by the nation would be resolved.
The meeting reviewed progress on development projects including power projects.
Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Industries, Chairman Investment Board and concerned authorities attended the meeting.
