Ending load shedding: Solid steps being taken to solve energy crisis, says CM

Chief minister leaves for London along with Hamza Shahbaz

LAHORE: Work is being carried out expeditiously to overcome the energy crisis, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday.

He was talking to various delegations. Later, the CM left for London to inquire after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. MNA Hamza Shahbaz also accompanied him. Talking to reporters at the airport, the CM said that the whole nation was praying for early recovery of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“Energy projects are being completed throughout the country. $34 billion has been allocated for energy projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he said.

The CM said that government was serious about controlling the energy crisis. “All steps are being taken for this purpose. Thousands of megawatts of electricity will be generated after the completion of energy projects during next two years,” he said. Shahbaz Sharif said that work was underway to produce electricity through coal, hydel, solar, wind and gas.

“The process of steering the country out of darkness will be completed at every cost. With the completion of energy projects, surplus electricity will be available for agriculture, industry and other sectors,” he said.

The chief minister said that solar energy projects were being set up in Bahawalpur. “The government has already completed a 100 megawatts solar power project in Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur from its own resources,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said that work was underway on gas-based power projects which would produce 3,600MWs of electricity upon completion. “The federal and Punjab governments have saved billions of rupees in projects,” he said.

The CM said the government would be successful in its efforts to rid the country of load-shedding and energy shortage.

“The dream of a peaceful, prosperous and enlightened Pakistan will be realised,” he said. The CM said that the government would fulfill the promises it had made to the people.

“Those involved in negative politics are not concerned about difficulties and problems of the people. A handful of political elements are creating obstacles in the development process,” he said.

Later, the CM left for London along with MNA Hamza Shahbaz. He will inquire after the health of PM Nawaz Sharif. He said that the whole nation was praying for the PM’s health.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2016.