-Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar has said that work is under way on various power projects to add 10,603 MW of electricity to the national grid by the end of 2017. "The government is working on many on-going power projects of 14000 MW which are at various stages of completion. The projects are: Pakistan Civil Nuclear power project, Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, some water reservoirs including coal power projects of Rs 34 billion with the co-operation of China, wind and solar power projects etc," the Finance Minister Tuesday told the National Assembly while responding to points raised by Shaikh Rashid Ahmad.
He said the government is working on long-term power projects keeping in view the future requirements of electricity. The Minister said there is a Rs 265 billion Circular Debt at present and the government is working to address the issue permanently on a priority basis. He said Tarbela-IV Extension is about to complete and after that work on Tarbela-V Extension will be started. Taking part in the discussion on the resolution regarding steps to control electricity pilferage in the country, Shehryar Afridi said strict punishment should be awarded to those responsible for power pilferage. Ghous Bux Mahar and Shaikh Rashid Ahmad highlighted various issues that cropped up due to shortage of electricity in the country.