Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the worst load-shedding in Pakistan's history has made the life of the people miserable; industries, agriculture and export sectors have been devastated while a huge loss has been caused to the economy.
While talking to media men after the Cabinet meeting held in his tent office at Minar Pakistan on Monday, CM said Punjab has faced a setback of approximately Rs 400 billion in one year due to load-shedding while thousands of workers have become jobless. Poverty and unemployment resulting from this problem have badly hit the poor and the common man is facing hunger and starvation, he added.
According to him, the holding of Punjab Cabinet's meeting at this site after 72 years from the passage of Pakistan Resolution is the second historic event. While coming to Minar-e-Pakistan by public transport a student informed him that the protracted load-shedding has made it difficult to sleep and air-conditioned bus service is a blessing in scorching heat. It is a day of renewal of pledge. A number of mistakes have been committed during last 64 years. He has been saying for the last four years that rental power plants are an illusion and will result in shame and disgrace but tall claims were made about the plants which have now been exposed.
Demanding immediate payment of the circular debt of Rs 400 billion, Shahbaz Sharif said it is the cause of severe shortage of energy in the country. He said theft of power and gas is rampant in the country and corruption was given legal cover through National Reconciliation Ordinance. He also said circular debt has become a monster for the country's economy. He lamented that the promise made in the second energy conference regarding uniform load-shedding in the country has not been honoured. "The Federation consists of four units but an unjust attitude is being shown to Punjab and it is being deprived of 700 megawatts electricity daily," he added.
He reminded that Punjab province sacrificed Rs 11 billion of its share in 7th National Finance Commission Award and strengthened the federation but now due to criminal negligence and inefficiency a step-motherly treatment is meted out to Punjab, which is totally unacceptable. Therefore, he said, it has been decided to renew the commitment with the masses in the shadow of the historic Minar-e-Pakistan to tell them that they are not alone. He is standing shoulder to shoulder with the 180 million people of the country and 'Ali Baba forty thieves' will be held accountable.
He questioned that what is hindering the transfer of US $60 million deposited in Swiss banks to the country. Moreover, he said, billions of rupees are being plundered in the country. Referring to the import bill on petroleum products, he said Pakistan imports petrol and diesel worth US $10 billion annually. He said no attention was paid to generation of energy from 'bagasse' despite the fact that 72 sugar mills are operating in the country. He dispelled the impression that under 18th amendment provinces have been given the right to generate electricity. He made it clear that it was he who went to the Council of Common Interests for this purpose but despite this hurdles were created in the projects of power generation and a white lie is being told in this regard. On the other hand, he said, a decoying of Rs 75 billion had been committed in the Bank of Punjab. He said the power supply situation can considerably improve if the misappropriated sum is deposited in the national exchequer. "Only the Federal government is responsible for the payment of circular debt. It has been decided that my tent office will continue till the discriminatory attitude against Punjab is not done away with and a uniform policy on load-shedding policy is not adopted,|" he added.
The Chief Minister announced that as an expression of solidarity with the masses, the political leadership of the province will not use air-conditioners in its offices and like his tent office all provincial ministers, advisors and special assistants will set up tents in front of their offices for discharging their responsibilities.
He continued that this process will continue till the federal government will change its unjust attitude to the 180 million people of the country. He also appealed to the demonstrators protesting against load-shedding not to damage public property. He demanded that power theft should be checked. He announced that the Punjab government is ready to play its role voluntarily regarding payment of circular debt if the federal government brings back the looted money. The provincial government will also focus on the provision of job opportunities in the next budget, he added.
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