Power Generation: Two power plants to be operational soon: Mian Mansha

[LahoreEstate]

KARACHI: Nishat Group is expected to commission its two power plants well before deadline and start power generation by the end of this year, Nishat Group chairman, Mian Muhammad Mansha said this here on Saturday.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by S M Muneer, chief patron of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, in his honour, he said that his group is making efforts to complete the installation of two power plants of 200 to 250MW each in order to commence power generation and help the nation overcome power shortage in the country.

He said that the project was almost six months ahead of its schedule and would soon commence power generation.

He said that he was looking forward to have joint ventures with Malaysian businesses. The Nishat chief urged the government to announce energy policy. “An energy policy focusing on coal powered generation should be announced,” Mansha said.

Mansha said that hydal power generation was the best and cheapest option, but Kalabagh Dam had become a controversial project. He said that Bhasha Dam could be an alternative and the work on this project should be done without further delay.

He pointed out that Pakistan’s law and order and political situation was widely questioned abroad and investors were reluctant to come to Pakistan.

S M Muneer said in his address that export-oriented industry was extremely depressed because of high interest rates. “How can we compete with countries like China and India who are giving incentives to their industry,” Muneer questioned. He advised the SBP to control inflation through other measures. MCB Bank President Atif Bajwa said in his address that banking industry was looking to come out of the difficult phase it was going through.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_6