'A comprehensive strategy will have to be evolved to overcome power shortage and short-term and long-term planning will have to be made for the permanent solution of this problem,' Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said.
He was addressing a joint meeting of the presidents of chambers of commerce and industry, industrialists, MD Pepco, Chief Executives of Lesco, Fesco, Mepco, Jesco and MD Sui Northern Gas on Monday. The meeting discussed in detail the emerging problems owing to power shortage, its affect on industry and different remedial measures.
The provincial Secretary, Commerce and Investment and Secretary, Irrigation were also present on the occasion. 'Punjab government is working on different power generation projects and hydel power and generation of energy through coal reserves is essential to meet the future needs of the country,' Shabaz said.
Further, he stressed on evolving a comprehensive plan to check the wastage of power and maximum supply of electricity and gas to industrial sector. 'All segments of society would have to realise their responsibility in this regard because, if adequate power was not made available to the industries, it will not only aggravate economic crisis but would also increase unemployment,' Punjab CM observed.
It was due to power shortage that he had imposed ban on use of air conditioners not only in his own office but also in all government offices across the province, he maintained. The CM directed the Secretary Commerce and Investment to arrange a joint meeting of industrialists, Wapda and Sui Gas authorities to formulate comprehensive recommendations to cope with gas and power shortages.
He said recommendations thus formulated, should be strictly implemented. Further, If the Basha Dam would have been constructed and measures had been taken for generating energy through coal reserves, the situation would not have taken so serious form.
He also directed the Secretary Commerce and Investment to consider installation of solar bulbs on all major roads to save electricity. Shahbaz also said the joint meeting of industrialists, Wapda and SSG authorities has been convened to review proposals for the solution of problems being faced by industrial sector due to electricity and power shortage as well as to consider measures for overcoming these crises.
Pepco MD informed the meeting that due to increase in water resources, production of electricity has also increased and load shedding is now minimal. The acting SSG MD also informed the meeting about the performance of his department said, domestic consumers would have to save gas in order to maintain its smooth supply to industries.
Earlier, leading industrialist, Mian Mansha and presidents of various chambers of commerce and industry pointed out the problems faced by industries caused by electricity and gas shortages. In addition, they demanded that load shedding of utilities should be on equitable basis in the country and proposed promotion of solar geezers to conserve electricity and gas.
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