Undemocratic forces behind energy crisis: Khosa
Asks what govt can do in face of crippling circular debt
LAHORE:
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa has lashed out at undemocratic forces for being responsible for the energy and economic crisis which the country currently faces.
Speaking at the Business Excellence Awards here on Wednesday, Khosa said consistent economic growth required democratic reliability, which the country lacked since its birth as conspiracy theories never allowed elected governments to work properly.
He said people were blaming the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for the energy crisis, but asked what previous governments had done to meet energy demand of the country.
In 1996, he claimed, the PPP government planned to produce 40,000 megawatts of electricity, of which plants having combined capacity of 18,500 megawatts were installed. “At that time, we were also planning to export electricity to India.”
Since the end of the PPP government, no work had been done by other democratic and military governments to increase electricity production according to growing demand, he said.
Admitting that the electricity shortage was taking its toll on the economy, industries and jobs, Khosa stressed “we are trying our best to resolve the crisis. Businessmen often lash out at us but what can we do in the face of a huge circular debt.”
Defending President Asif Ali Zardari, Khosa said the president had surrendered his powers to the prime minister and parliament through 18th Amendment in the constitution. “Provinces have now the authority to produce electricity, then why Punjab is reluctant to construct power plants,” he asked.
He slammed the Punjab government for backing protests against the government under the cover of energy crisis, which worked not only against democracy but also against the country.
To build Pakistan, all would have to work together to solve issues, he said and cited the example of neighbours – China and India – which were on their way towards success due to a proper democratic system.
At the ceremony, 32 companies and organisations were awarded for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) work in flood-stricken areas of Sindh and Punjab in 2010 and 2011. Prominent organisations which won the award were the Engro Corporation, Ali Akbar Group, Pakistan Telecommunication Company, National Bank, Total Parco, Pakistan Petroleum, Pakistan State Oil, MCB Bank and Kashf Foundation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2012.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa has lashed out at undemocratic forces for being responsible for the energy and economic crisis which the country currently faces.
Speaking at the Business Excellence Awards here on Wednesday, Khosa said consistent economic growth required democratic reliability, which the country lacked since its birth as conspiracy theories never allowed elected governments to work properly.
He said people were blaming the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for the energy crisis, but asked what previous governments had done to meet energy demand of the country.
In 1996, he claimed, the PPP government planned to produce 40,000 megawatts of electricity, of which plants having combined capacity of 18,500 megawatts were installed. “At that time, we were also planning to export electricity to India.”
Since the end of the PPP government, no work had been done by other democratic and military governments to increase electricity production according to growing demand, he said.
Admitting that the electricity shortage was taking its toll on the economy, industries and jobs, Khosa stressed “we are trying our best to resolve the crisis. Businessmen often lash out at us but what can we do in the face of a huge circular debt.”
Defending President Asif Ali Zardari, Khosa said the president had surrendered his powers to the prime minister and parliament through 18th Amendment in the constitution. “Provinces have now the authority to produce electricity, then why Punjab is reluctant to construct power plants,” he asked.
He slammed the Punjab government for backing protests against the government under the cover of energy crisis, which worked not only against democracy but also against the country.
To build Pakistan, all would have to work together to solve issues, he said and cited the example of neighbours – China and India – which were on their way towards success due to a proper democratic system.
At the ceremony, 32 companies and organisations were awarded for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) work in flood-stricken areas of Sindh and Punjab in 2010 and 2011. Prominent organisations which won the award were the Engro Corporation, Ali Akbar Group, Pakistan Telecommunication Company, National Bank, Total Parco, Pakistan Petroleum, Pakistan State Oil, MCB Bank and Kashf Foundation.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2012.