Shehbaz orders devising new industrial policy

Says all stakeholders should be taken on board

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said new opportunities would be produced by accelerating industrial process which would reinforce the economy.

He expressed these views while chairing a meeting on Thursday to review development of industrial sector and steps to expedite the progress. The chief minister said industrial sector played a vital role in boosting economy and providing people with employment opportunities.

While directing the authorities concerned to start work on devising industrial policy for the province immediately, Shehbaz said all stakeholders should be taken on board to formulate a comprehensive industrial policy. He said new industries would create lots of job opportunities for the youth.

Promotion of industrial sector is the need of the hour, he said. Provincial ministers Sheikh Alauddin, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Adviser Dr Ijaz Nabi, chief secretary and other officials attended the meeting.



Later in a meeting with the members from different districts of the national and provincial assemblies, Shehbaz said 1,320MW coal-powered plant at Sahiwal would be completed before the stipulated time. He said Rs112 billion has been saved from gas power projects initiated in different areas of Punjab and these projects of 3,600MW were expected to be completed by this year.

The chief minister said these projects would add thousands of megawatts electricity to the national grid. He blamed the past governments for not paying attention in solving energy crisis. Shehbaz said people of Pakistan want progress and prosperity and the politics of chaos has failed.

The delegation included MNAs Malik Sultan Mehmood Hanjra, Begum Ghulam Bibi Bharwana, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and MPA Malik Ahmad Yar Hanjra.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2017.