Punjab Energy Minister Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan has directed the Chief Executive Officers of power distribution companies in Punjab to provide a complete data of demand and supply situation of the electricity within a week for the purpose of evolving a comprehensive strategy for controlling energy crisis.
He has also asked for a list of consumers of different categories besides the tube-wells for agriculture purposes. He issued these instructions while presiding over a meeting of Chief Executive Officers of Energy Department here on Friday, disclosed an official. The minister directed that officers of energy department and Wapda should maintain a close co-ordination so that short, medium and long-term projects should be evolved through solid planning.
He said Wapda has a key role in power supply and assured the officers that the provincial government will extend full co-operation in the recovery of arrears and power theft. "Industrial sector is the backbone of national economy therefore measures are being taken for uninterrupted supply of power to industrial institutions. Generation of energy through different sources will also be considered," he added.
Chaudhary Sher Ali said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is determined to control energy problem and all out measures are being taken for this purpose. He said modern technology will also be utilized for providing relief to the masses. Earlier, the provincial minister presided over separate meetings regarding generation of power from solar energy in Cholistan and up-gradation of existing system of Wapda.