Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the energy crisis has badly affected the country and national economy due to which education, health, agriculture, livestock, industry, trade and all sections of life have been affected. He said that we are answerable to the people for reducing energy crisis, therefore, steps are being taken on war footing to decrease loadshedding.
He said that the projects for generating energy in the minimum time will have to be completed. The CM directed that final shape be given to one window energy policy at the earliest and the process of result-oriented consultation with all stakeholders should immediately be completed. He said that the launching of the energy projects under public-private partnership should be considered. He was presiding over a meeting of Cabinet committee set up with regard to energy crisis at Chief Minister's office on Saturday.
Provincial Minister for Energy Sher Ali Khan, Agriculture Minister, Dr Farrukh Javed, Special Assistant Chaudhry Arshad Jutt, Advisor Azmul Haq, Chairman Planning & Development, DCO Lahore and the experts attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, the CM said that former federal rulers have committed a serious crime by not paying attention to elimination of energy crisis during five years.
He said that due to the corruption policy of former rulers, the country and the nation have been pushed into darkness. The CM said that people have given the mandate to Pakistan Muslim League-N for eliminating energy crisis and the nation would be rid of agony of load shedding through collective wisdom and tireless efforts. He said that we are working on the energy generation projects through coal, wind, hydro, biogas and biomass and other alternate sources.
Shahbaz said that reforms are needed for capacity building of energy department and the services of qualified experts should be acquired for this purpose. He said that country's situation can be improved by ensuring positive use of mineral resources. The CM directed that action should be taken against those not working after getting the license of coal mines and the license of such mines should be cancelled.
He said that negotiations with Turk companies should be given a final shape with regard to generating energy through waste. He said that provision of relief to the 100 million people of Punjab is top priority and we will discharge this responsibility efficiently.
Shahbaz directed that the report regarding viable projects should be submitted at the earliest. He said that practicable recommendations should be submitted for launching energy generating projects through biogas, solar, biomass, wind, hydel and bagasse and financial model of these projects should also be prepared.
The meeting considered the proposed steps for launching energy generating projects through biogas, solar, biomass, wind, hydel and bagasse. The meeting also considered the proposals for promoting the use of solar energy in new housing schemes and newly constructed commercial plazas and converting streets light to solar panels.