PM Imran forms committee on Karachi’s power crisis

Panel led by Asad Umar to meet K-Electric representatives at the earliest

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday formed a committee to overcome the power crisis in Karachi that has doubled the difficulties of the people amid the sweltering heat.

Unannounced power cuts and long hours of power outages have been reported in the metropolitan city of Sindh since the easing of the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

According to a statement, the committee comprises Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar, Special Assistant to the PM on Mineral Resources Shahzad Qasim and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail. “It will meet the management of K-Electric at the earliest to resolve the issues and seek all possible cooperation from the energy ministry,” it reads.

The development came during a meeting with the Sindh governor who called on the premier in the federal capital. They discussed the overall political situation in the province and especially the steps and strategies took regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Sindh governor spoke high of the prime minister’s vision and successful strategy to combat the contagion in the country. Meanwhile, the planning minister and Sindh governor had a separate meeting to discuss matters related to work on on-going projects under the Public Sector Development Program in the province.

Umar said the federal government would provide full support to the development efforts of the Government of Sindh. The minister vowed to complete the Prime Minister’s Karachi package projects “expeditiously”, aimed at addressing civic and mobility issues being faced by the citizens.

“The federal government is awaiting the response of the provincial government on the K-IV project,” he said, adding that the Centre was committed to providing its share of funds and taking all measures needed to expedite the project.

The governor informed the minister of various development activities being undertaken by the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company. “The projects being executed by the company will be complete on time,” he said.