News
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Govt ready for all doable energy projects: PM* Raja says government would initiate KBD if provinces develop consensus on it
Staff Report
LAHORE: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government was ready to implement all doable energy projects without any delay because it believes in private sector growth.
Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, the prime minister said the government has reset its priorities by laying greater focus on improving law and order situation, equitable electricity load-shedding and promotion of private sector. The government and the private sector are on the same page to rid the country of economic ills being faced today, he said, adding that the government was working on a number of coal and solar power projects.
He said that on the request of noted scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the government had given immediate response to Thar Coal Gasification Projects, which were well on their way. However, he made it clear that the projects entail many things, including power generation stations and transmission lines for their connectivity with the national grid.
Raja Pervez Ashraf said that if the federating units develop a consensus on Kalabagh Dam, the government would initiate construction of the dam. He said that the government is also focusing on the hydel component of electricity and has expedited work on all ongoing hydropower projects as well as those on the drawing board. The prime minister said not only Pakistan but many other countries, including India, those in the Middle East, Bangladesh, Bhutan and other SAARC countries, were also facing a demand and supply problem of electricity. The prime minister also announced to take LCCI as member in the Energy Crisis Committee under his chairmanship.
The prime minister said the government was committed to facilitating the business community. “We are watching the entire development on the subject and will not compromise on the interest of the Pakistani business community,” he declared. He said the country’s progress and prosperity hinges on well-being of the business community. If businesses prosper, the country would automatically grow, he said. “We believe in our people, particularly the businessmen and industrialists, and together we will steer the country out of the prevailing challenges,” he maintained. Separately, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) top leadership met the prime minister on Tuesday and made a detailed presentation on the way forward with regard to industrialisation in country.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk