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PM Khoso orders measures to improve power situation
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Water and Power to take immediate measures for improvement in the power situation.
The Prime Minister, in his directive ordered for utilization of all available resources for optimizing the power generation and reducing the load-shedding duration. The directive was issued by the Prime Minister during a high level meeting held here to review the power generation plants in the country.
The meeting was called to discuss power situation in the country after the Prime Minister took cognizance of a number of reports appearing in various sections of media about the excessive load-shedding.
It was decided in the meeting that the Ministry of Finance would inject Rs 20 billion immediately to ensure fuel supply to the thermal power plants.
Expressing his concern over the current power situation, the Prime Minister desired that a visible improvement in the situation could be possible through better management and resource mobilization.
He said that all prompt measures should be taken to ensure that power installations and transmission lines were fully secured throughout the country.
“No installation should be left unattended and a security plan be submitted, spelling out detailed arrangements for their protection,” he added.
The Prime Minister observed that though the prime responsibility of his government was to hold general elections in the country, but it was also its duty to provide relief to the people with availability of basic necessities like electricity.
He also directed that new gas reservoirs should be tapped for gas supply to the thermal power plants and called for steps in improving generation and reducing cost of electricity.
The WAPDA was also directed to launch an immediate recovery drive against defaulters with the cooperation of National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The KESC and the FBR were also asked to improve liquidity and overcome circular debt issues.
Additional Secretary Water and Power Arshad Mirza informed the Prime Minister about the immediate cause of increase in load-shedding duration by saying that a disruption in gas supply to the Uch Power Plant caused by a sabotage act was the main reason.
The official further apprised that 10-12 hour load-shedding was being carried out in the urban areas whereas in the rural and far flung areas, its duration was around 16 to 18 hours. However, the plummeting power generation was now improving, he added.
The Prime Minister also directed the ministries of Water and Power, Petroleum and Natural Resources, Interior and Finance to fine-tune their short term and medium term plans with a view to minimize load-shedding so that the normal routine life could be least affected.
He directed the water ministry officials to ensure implementation of the plan worked out by the government.
The ministry was told to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply to the thermal power plants.
The Prime Minister also issued a directive against carrying out further unannounced load-shedding by saying that the plan should be implemented in such a manner that minimum load-shedding was observed.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of Prime Minister’s Secretariat, ministries of Finance, Petroleum and Natural Resources and Water and Power. (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv
