Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here Sunday. Matters of mutual interest and various projects in energy sector were discussed in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that sincere efforts were made for overcoming energy crisis during two and a half years and work is being carried out on energy projects throughout the country including Punjab.
He said that under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, 36 billion dollars are for the projects of energy sector and work is continuing on various projects in Punjab round-the-clock.
He said that eleven months ago, Chinese President visited Pakistan in April last year and agreements on projects were signed under CPEC and work was started on these projects in September and now these projects are forwarding to completion. The Chief Minister said that under CPEC, coal, solar, wind and hydel power projects are being set up all over the country whereas projects in communication, transport and infrastructure are also being executed. He said that speedy implementation of projects after signing of agreements under CPEC is unprecedented. He said that 2.8 billion dollars investment is being made on 1320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal whereas 1320 megawatt coal power plant project is being set up with same cost at Port Qasim.
Sharif said that China has also invested in 900megawatt solar power project in Bahawalpur. He said that 3600megawatt gas-based projects are also being forwarded speedily in Punjab.
He said that the problem of shortage of electricity will be resolved with the investment of 36 billion dollars in energy projects by China under CPEC.
He said that previous rulers committed loot and plunder in development projects and a number of corruption scams also came fore. He said that corrupt rulers of Punjab did nothing for the country and the nation during dictatorship. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, government is committed to overcome energy crisis and work is being carried out day and night for the completion of energy projects.
He said that projects are being forwarded in a transparent manner.
He said that efforts being made under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for elimination of energy crisis are unprecedented. Sharif said that loadshedding will reduce substantially after completion of these projects and thousands of megawatts more electricity will be added to national grid after completion of various energy projects at the end of next year.