The experts at a conference appreciated the Vision-2030 of the government saying that this is achievable by exploiting rich natural resources including water for the sustainable growth and socio-economic prosperity of the country.
The conference was organised by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) with the objective to review Medium Term Development Framework 2005-10.
In the opening speech Deputy Chairman Planning Commission (PC) Dr Akram Sheikh who is also chairman of PEC stated that planning was being done to make Pakistan a developed, industrialised and prosperous country through sustainable development.
He said that paradigm shift was taken towards enhancing combativeness of the national economy with focus on development of infrastructure, human resource development and technological up-gradation.
The conference discussed the achievements of targets in three important areas of energy, water, and infrastructure. It may be mentioned here that the government has given PEC an extended role of a think-tank on national policy making, planning and development issues.
Dr Akram Sheikh said that neighbouring China meets 84 percent of its energy requirements from coal but in Pakistan the contribution of coal in energy sector is almost nil. He said Pakistan could meet its increasing energy requirements by utilising coal reserves in Sindh and Balochistan.
He said that in his opinion Pakistan should have a national mining company with major shares from public sector and participation of the private sector. All the energy from development of coalmines should be purchased by the government.
Dr Gul Faraz, convenor of energy sub-group said that no country can ensure its national security without ensuring energy security. He said there is direct link between increase in energy use and increase in per capita income. We use only 20 percent of the per person average energy use at the world level.
He said that 50.3 percent of Pakistan's energy requirements are met from natural gas, 12.8 percent from hydel and nuclear resources, 5.2 percent from indigenous oil and 23.6 percent from imported oi1.
Dr Gul Faraz said that it was a challenge to meet the growing energy demands without increasing the import bill of oil. He told that after Russia and Iran, Pakistan is the third country in the world, which is meeting its 50 percent energy needs through natural gas. He further said that while oil prices in the international market are escalating every passing month, coal is fast becoming an attractive energy resource.
Convenor of the Water Sub-Group Shamul Mulk said Pakistan is already a water stressed country and it was need of the hour to take steps for conservation of water resources in the country.
Giving examples of Mangla and Tarbela dams he said when we have political will, we can construct difficult projects. Similarly, he said that Chashma Right Bank Canal had been declared unfeasible in pre-partition days in 1920 but we built it in 1960s which means Pakistanis can achieve difficult targets. Shamul Mulk said that vision for a prosperous Pakistan was achievable but what we need is political will to translate the vision into reality.
Sabir P. Chohan, Convenor of Infrastructure Sub-Group said that target of all planning done by the government is to improve the quality of citizens life. He called for drastic steps to improve infrastructure quality in the country. He said the national economy suffers Rs 2 to 3 billion due to non-availability of farm-to-market roads in the country.