Shahbaz Sharif presents 9-point energy plan

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Dawn Reporter
Tuesday, 20 Apr, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has presented a nine-point formula for minimising the impact of energy crisis in the country.

Speaking at the two-day national energy conference here on Monday, Mr Shahbaz said the industrial sector in Karachi was protected from load shedding, but traders in Punjab were losing export orders because of supply disruptions.

He suggested energy shortfalls should be shared by all segments of society.

His nine points included supply of electricity to industrial and agriculture sectors on priority, ban on billboards, construction of Bhasha dam, production of electricity from coal and hydropower resources, use of sugarcane trash (bagasse) for power generation, equitable distribution of power between provinces, simplifying the official procedure for electricity generation projects in private sector, use of canal water for power generation and launching of a countrywide movement for energy conservation.

APP adds: The chief minister stressed the need for immediate as well as long-term measures such as construction of new water reservoirs.

He said public money was wasted ruthlessly and human blood was shed callously in Musharraf era but criminal negligence was shown towards such vital projects as Bhasha Dam, adding that had the dam been constructed, the nation would have been spared the present torment.

The chief minister alleged that Punjab was getting an unfair treatment in distribution of electricity, adding that he would be forced to raise his voice if no corrective steps were forthcoming.

Mr Shabaz said Faisalabad, Gujranwala and other industrial cities of Punjab were facing “the worst kind of loadshedding.”