Punjab's CM seeks Chinese help to overcome energy crisis

[LahoreEstate]

Monday, September 07, 2009
By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that there are massive coal reserves in Punjab and the provincial government is working on various projects to generate energy from coal.

He was talking to a delegation, headed by of Mr Zhaojian, of Sino Coal International Engineering Group, China which called on him here on Sunday.

Shahbaz Sharif said there was a wide scope of cooperation between China and Punjab for generation of energy from coal and Chinese investors could benefit from the opportunity.

He said Pakistan had large reserves of high grade coal and, due to severe energy crisis, work was being carried out expeditiously on various projects of alternate sources of energy generation. He said that the Punjab government was implementing Taunsa Barrage Hydel Power Project which would result in generation of 120 megawatt electricity.

He said that China had extended invaluable cooperation for the socio-economic development of Pakistan and its investment in various projects was highly encouraging. He said that Pakistan was facing serious energy crisis which was adversely affecting agriculture, industrial and other sectors.

He said that negotiations were being held with different countries for energy generation, but the Punjab government wanted China to come forward for investment in these projects.

He said that the Punjab government wanted to set up plants for generation of energy from coal in Dera Ghazi Khan and Chakwal and the Chinese company, which had the required expertise in the sector, should benefit from the investment opportunities in the projects. He said that coal for DG Khan plant would be acquired from Balochistan and negotiations had been held with the Balochistan government in this regard, adding there were also sufficient coal reserves in Chakwal for the purpose.

He said that energy crisis was seriously affecting industrial sector in Punjab, therefore, efforts were being made on war footing for the generation of energy from coal.

He said that Chinese company Sino Coal International Engineering Group had expertise in the sector, therefore, it should consider the investment in the projects without delay.

Referring to his recent visit to China, the chief minister said that a number of agreements were signed on this occasion for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, energy, infrastructure, solid waste and other sectors which were being given a practical shape.

The head of the Chinese delegation, Mr Zhaojian, said that Punjab was facing serious energy deficit and in accordance with the desire of the CM, projects of generation of energy from coal would be initiated expeditiously and a feasibility report prepared within two months after considering all options. He said that his company had wide experience in this sector and the delegation would visit various cities for the generation of energy. Secretary Mines Saifullah

Chattha, Secretary Industries Rao Manzar Hayat, Deputy Chairman Investment Board Pir Saad Ehsanuddin, Chief Executive Officer Pak-China Bureau Zafar Mehmood Chaudhry and the officers concerned were also present.

Housing secretary: The Federal Secretary Housing and Works, G M Sikandar, called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat here on Sunday.

According to a hand out, the secretary informed the chief minister about different projects of the federal government in the housing sector. The chief minister said that the Punjab government would cooperate with the federal government in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme in Punjab.

Ring Road project: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif inspected the Ring Road Package-10 Interchange G T Road here on Sunday.

The chief minister said that Ring Road Package-10 G T Road Interchange project would be a milestone in the development of the province. He said that the completion of the project would leave a positive impact on the development of the area and the people would have better transport facilities.

He issued orders to plant maximum trees for the beautification of the project. The government was improving infrastructure throughout the province under a comprehensive strategy, he said, adding, in addition to construction of new roads, the existing roads were also being widened and improved. He said that a mega project for the rehabilitation of roads was being implemented in the provincial metropolis to avoid traffic jams and the provision of better communication facilities to the citizens. He said the project of widening the Multan Road had been launched while modern parking plazas were also being constructed. He said that a high standard of construction work, timely completion of projects as well as transparent utilization of every penny of development funds was being ensured.

Giving a briefing on G T Road Interchange, the Lahore Division commissioner said that work was being carried out on the project round the clock and it would be completed by December 24.

WAR MEMORIAL: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif laid floral wreath at a 1965 War memorial in Batapur.

A special prayer was also offered on this occasion for the integrity, progress and prosperity of the country.

The chief minister said that September 6 was a milestone in the history of Pakistan and it reminded us of those brave and valiant sons of the soil who had made the defense of the country impregnable by their spirit of martyrdom. He said that despite the enemy’s superior military might in 1965, Pakistan Army, fully supported by the people, foiled its nefarious designs, which was a matter of pride for the whole nation

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=197133