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PM Gilani determined to overcome energy crisis
LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the energy crisis was affecting every sector of the country and expressed determination to overcome it with the cooperation of all stake holders.Addressing the second national energy conference ‚ being attended by Chief Ministers of all the provinces, AJK Prime Minister, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Senior Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Federal Ministers, to devise a road map for meeting energy demands, he said massive load shedding has resulted in heavy losses to the economy and every segment of society has been disturbed.
"Due to efforts of the government the situation has been improved. However it is essential to chalk out long term strategy to enhance power generation. We will have to make collective and individual efforts to boost electricity generation through various means to get rid of load shedding," Gilani stressed.
He assured that the government would give serious consideration to proposals of the conference to increase electricity generation and reduce load shedding in minimum time.
"Unfortunately we inherited a net shortfall of 5000MW and made strenuous efforts to increase generation. There is need to further concentrate on enhancing generation."
Prime Minister Gilani said that as a result of measures taken by the PPP-led government‚ a total of 3400MW electricity has been inducted in the national grid. He felt people would have to play their part by consuming less power‚ as energy requirements in the country are enhanced by seven percent every year. Gilani added that the power tariff had been increased due to increase in petroleum products prices in the international markets.
Earlier‚ during his welcome address Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif spoke on the current energy situation in the country especially in Punjab province. Sharif stressed imperative need to handle circular debt issue on a priority basis and ending discrimination in load shedding for Punjab. He suggested a one-window operation at Prime Minister House to solve problems of power generation.
Chief Ministers of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, Aslam Raisani, and AJK Prime Minister in their address suggested various measures in order to overcome energy crisis.
Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naved Qamar said the government was working with priority to overcome the energy crisis for which number of steps have already been implemented.
The participants will discuss and finalize measures to develop energy sector at provincial level in light of 18th Constitutional amendment and consider proposals to explore alternative resources for generation. (PPI)
Courtesy www.geo.tv