Govt trying to boost power output: Abid Sher Ali

Minister says efforts are underway to produce up to 21,000 MW of electricity

LAHORE: Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali on Saturday said that the government is trying its best to increase its power output, adding that the issue of low voltage will be resolved by next year.

“Efforts are being made to produce more power in the country,” Abid said while addressing the media in Lahore.

Read: Government is working hard to eliminate electricity crisis: Abid

The minister added that efforts are underway to produce up to 21,000MW of electricity. He stressed that “problems in the system” will be eliminated by 2016.

Regarding the provision of funding, Abid said that the government has ample funds but not much land. “We have the funds. The only issue is the lack of land,” he told reporters.

Abid also said that he will meet with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to discuss the power crisis in the province. During the press conference, the PML-N leader also justified that WAPDA employees in Sukkur are well paid, adding that they are paid “Rs36 lakhs”.

Further, he also said that unannounced load-shedding in Ramazan has come to a halt in the entire country.

Read: Abid Sher Ali stages sit-in over animal’s death

Earlier, Abid Sher Ali made similar claims when he said the government is striving to overcome energy crisis and to bring progress and prosperity to the country on Wednesday.

“1,100 kilometre transmission lines and 93 grid stations are being installed to resolve the crisis,” he said.

Further adding that ensuring peace in Karachi is a top priority of the government.