Past government neglected power distribution sector: Shibli

Says previous government did not introduce any new technology to improve distribution system

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said on Sunday that the present government was working on improving the power distribution system that remained neglected in the past.

The minister observed this while addressing a joint press conference along with Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan following a massive power breakdown that plunged the entire country into darkness late Saturday night.

According to the information minister, the previous government focused on power generation only. He said the incumbent government was committed to bringing improvements in the power sector.

The minister said a comprehensive plan was being pursued to upgrade the transmission system and to enhance power generation.

He said the power sector was the backbone of a country, but the previous government did not introduce any new technology to improve the distribution system.

Senator Shibli observed that presently power generation capacity was more than 36,000 MW but only 26000 MW could be distributed as the distribution system was not compatible with it.

He said there were technical issues with the distribution system as it was not upgraded with the passage of time.

Shibli added that the Matiari-Lahore power transmission line was near completion; work on it would be completed by March this year.

Responding to a question, he said steps would be taken to avert such a situation in the future once the inquiry report furnishes its findings regarding the breakdown.

Power restoration efforts carried on well into Sunday morning after thte massive power breakdown.

Tweeting from the ministry's official Twitter handle, spokesperson for the the Ministry of Energy said that according to initial reports, the Guddu power plant developed a fault at 11:41pm on Saturday night.