LAHORE: In a bid to protest against the ongoing power crisis in the province, Chief Minister Punjab shifted his office to Minar-e-Pakistan ground on Friday.
Speaking to the media at the ground, Sharif said that for the people of Pakistan, “it is not about the livelihood anymore, but about their survival.”
He said, “Ali Baba and 40 thieves have destroyed the economy of Pakistan.”
“We are sitting under Minar-e-Pakistan to address the plights of the people. They do not have electricity and they have to face water shortage, due to that they cannot bathe, they are sleepless.”
He said that on Friday people could not perform ablution to say prayers because there was no water available due to the ongoing energy crisis.
“I can suggest how to end this power crisis,” said the chief minister. “End the $400 billion circular debt by bringing back the plundered money that is deposited in Swiss courts.”
He further said, “The money swindled in the National Reconciliation Ordinance case, the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) land scam, the rental power case, the Hajj scam the extravagant spending of the government, could be used to curb the growing power crisis.”
The chief minister said that the 700MW of energy that Punjab has been deprived of should be returned to the province.
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Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has claimed that load shedding has caused his province a loss of Rs 500 billion that has rendered hundreds of thousands of people jobless and made fields barren. I would like to ask him why he has not established any power policy to attract local and foreign investment and set up plants when the 18th Amendment allows provinces to generate electricity on their own. Two years ago, he signed an agreement with a Chinese company to build a 140 MW hydropower plant at Taunsa Barrage. However, people of Pakistan like me have yet to see progress on the project. There were also a number of hydropower projects allotted to private companies to build power plants on canals and rivers in Punjab. Why have these projects not been built during the last four years? It seems that the PML-N government in Punjab has been spending billions of rupees on Sasti Roti, Ashiana Housing and laptop distribution schemes to win political popularity but it is ignoring the actual problems being faced by the people. Perhaps the PML-N has deliberately not taken any steps to solve the energy shortage problem to damage the credibility of the PPP-led coalition government at the Centre. The federal government, on the other hand, is using a political gimmick to cover its own inability of finding a potent solution for the energy shortage problem in the country by assigning provinces the ability to generate their own power.
Shehbaz Sharif doing for getting vote , because their popularity in Punjab is going to end day by day due to its faulty policies.. I think their protest is meaning less, because in 18 amendment which was done on 2010 Province can make own power but Punjab Government do nothing for Power in Punjab. Now they blaming to others why they not see their Government Progress, which Department is working well, lots of corruption; mismanagement is same like Federal Government. If PPP starts Protest against Punjab corruption then will happen. They are doing just Topi drama and Media is showing this a brilliant show. They are making people fool again; Loadsheding is from 4 years why they not wear black ribbon from four years??
@Sahil - KESC is a little exception to other entities. KESC generates (using its own generating capacity based on gas and fernace) and distributes to Khi / surrounding areas, whereas PESCO only distributes what it gets allocated from the national grid. so even if they decide to work effeciently load shedding may not reach to nil unless national grid has enough to provide to PESCO. Even in Khi load shedding is not zero but out of 1100 grids they have identified 200 grids where load shedding is zero because these are either commercial areas and / or they have not defaulted on bill payments. This situation gets worst for those grids where collection against bills gets bad. so if you are living in a place say korangi / old city areas where there is alot of electircity kundaa system and pple generally don't pay you get more load shedding. Hope this makes it clear.
suo moto action needed for open defiance of the law of the land by shahbaza shareef
This is perhaps 8th CM camp office. Lagay Raho Munna Bhai........................
Two Ali Baba and 40 thieves destroyed the pak economy.Elder bro had moved to rented villa from palatial pm house he built at a cost of a few billions rupees as a austerity measure and on tv live broadcast he said he and his family members have handed over keys of their factories to banks because they can't pay back 9000000000(nine billions). Poor public should expect something similar from junior bro soon.
@ Muhammad Bilal Aslam, very well said.
@Navid: 18th amendent just passed few mnths ago.. even a samllest prject will take 30 mnths to compete....... HE had his team do work and held discussion with sugar mill association who were ready to generate "2000 MW" electricity with NO Investment needed from Federal/Provincial govt.... all wht federation had to do was to provide a fianacial structure adn set rate for the elctrivty ------ even today rates are set by one departmetn under federation.....\ and to this date no postive response for the federal govt.
@Shahid Malik: 18th amendent just passed few mnths ago.. before that provinces had no power to generate electricity... he had his tema do work and held discussion with sugar mill association who were ready to generate 2000 mW electricity with NO Investment needed from Federal/Provincial govt.... all wht federation had to do was to provide a fianacial structure adn set rate for the elctrivty ------ even today rates are set by one departmetn under federation.....\ and to this date no postive response for the federal govt.
@Acorn Guts: open ground obviusly more acceible than a building....plus it Very Clearly sends the message that u didnt get....metting without AC's - electrivity when its gone......khuda k liye dont compare a tent with a building ---this man certainly works more than u and has more energy than an avg youth tofay
@Hassan: when did you neutrally gave a thought to their ideas last time.... the (ss) work months for 2000 MW energ from Baggase *sugar cane's by-product) and all the Fed govt had to do was to provide financial structure - not a single $ investment........n they could do it...SS is working accept that - ur vote wont be snatached by just appricating the fact
Break Punjab into many fake provinces. Promote intra-Punjabi hatred by encouraging the people of various dialects into believing that their language is different and not a "mere dialect." Instill in the minds of Punjabis that Punjabi is a third class language - a "non-Muslim" language; make them hate their language. Impose upon them Pakistani nationalism so they can forget their own history. And despite all this, BLAME THEM for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that goes wrong in Pakistan, India or Afghanistan. PPP should be ashamed of itself for promoting the division of Punjab. And PML-N should be ashamed of itself for encouraging them. ANP for Pashtuns; MQM for Mohajirs; numerous Sindhi nationalist parties for Sindhis; many Baloch nationalist parties for Baloch and what do we Punjabis have? (We are not supposed to have any because then we would be traitors!) Allah's curses on PPP and MQM. Who are these non native immigrants from India to order our beloved land to be divided?
I am from KP and we are facing 14 to 16 hours of load shedding in Mardan. How come people are talking about discrimination. Don't talk of provincialism. These two parties are good for nothing - blame game. They can't give us food, shelter, safety and electricity. Sharifs are just playing political gimmick and trying to lure us. Life was not that great during their time. Sharifs have stakes outside the country. They are just playing with us.
I'm really sick of this negative propaganda of PTI trolls against Punjab Government and PML-N. See the positive side of things too. Conditions in Punjab are much better (of course nowhere near perfection) than any other part of the country. We're facing discrimination in load-shedding and gas supplies. Shehbaz Sharif has clearly stated that federal government's guarantee is needed to finance power projects in provinces. New power plants in Chicho ki Malian and NandiPur haven't been approved. How many of you have actually visited the tent at Minar-e-Pakistan? There is no air-conditioning or alternative power supplies. Can you even imagine any other chief minister sitting in such conditions? Why is no journalist investigating the money going in Benazir Income Support Program? Can any other province be divided purely on administrative basis just as Punjab Government did? Use common sense before posting your useless comments.
@Adnan Ajmal: yes ...shareef is good ruler...he is a great team leader....why...he has 14 ministries to his own name....he does not need a team ....he is a one man team...!!!!!! (sarcasm)
@Ch Allah Daad: Enough of this "big brother " nonsense. Punjab is not getting its due share.
Why did PML N sign on 18th amendment where equal energy distribution was not endured????
Now these brothers are agreeing on breaking Punjab while vowing to keep Sindh intact.
Punjab has had enough of this strange politics.., where PML N always get trapped by PPP...
PML(N) is part and parcel of the government and enjoying the power corridors but still want to show that they are against the federal Government.They were neither accessible to general public before nor now.What is the fun to make drama of shifting offices to Minar-e-Pakistan.People are also fed up with Punjab Government.
time for shareefs to leve and let Imran khan in
You can't fool anymore. Try to bring good governance in Punjab which is facing safety and security problems badly. Don't get into blame game. Sharifs, you can't prevent damage to the party.
There is noora kushti between PPP and PTI. This in only PML(N) who is raising voice for public issues. PPP, MQM, ANP and PTI are doing nothing. Insha Allah PML(N) will win elections. Our prayers are with Sharif Borthers. I request people from all provinces to vote for PML(N).
@ adeel ahmed, His actions in NFC were of a big brother. This is first time in history that other provinces are not blaming Punjab. He is so much loved and respected in other provinces that if given choice, they will elect him as their Chief Minister. At provincial level no other leader comes close to his services.
CM Shahbaz Sharif is most active politician of our country, ALLAH bless him with perfect health. IK is not active like him. Where is IK in this power crisis, no voice heard about load shedding. Mqm pti and Ppp are in Samjhota express. They all are fooling us
Shehbaz Sharif is a very good administrator. He has ruled Punjab in a very good manner. Allah bless Sharif Brothers.
Topi Drama, You can't make people of this generation fool anymore. If you really wanna save your skin, come out of government otherwise people would treat you guys same as PPP.
Some body Plz tell Mian Sahibaan that in Story of Ali baba, which is in Arabian Nights, Ali baba was the hero and 40 thieves were villans. Mian Sahibaan should first read the story and then use the term.
@Ch Allah Dad : he did blunder in NFC for Punjab
He is lion of Punjab.
This guy himself is the problem in Punjab having dozens of ministries ruining education to all all other system existed in Pakistan. This man doesn't even get treatment thats why 100s of people died with fake drugs in Punjab.
Billions of rupees go missing ( 38 billions ref. tribune news) and 70% of development budget spent in lahore only ignoring all other cities of Punjab.
Love U CM sahab...... True Leador Of Pakistan.......... Allah Bless U ..... Allah aap Ko Meri Umar bhi laga day.... Aameen............. Suma Aameen
Shehbaz Sharif's efforts should be appreciated. He is always there where ther is some public issue. Allah bless him.
Why people want that CM starts a war with federal govt. Why people are envious of other's wealth. If he has earned through proper means than this does not mean we should start shouting. Yes if someone knows its ill gotten wealth then case should be opened and he should be punished. Each of us is becoming an aristocratic tyrant dictator. who does not believe in courts or any good will gestures and want a nuclear war on each & every issue.
why our friends could not understand its not a matter of Production, actually its a matter of circular debt other wise we have enough electricity. e.g what happened in last summer more than one month there is no load shedding how? because they did a big payment. Secondly its not like magic to produced electricity it takes years we can not blame to any province. why we need more plants when we have already but not working/ some not with full capacity due to non payment.
Shehbaz Sharif, we love you. Allah bless Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif.
He is such an actor After 18th Amendment Province can produce it own electricity what he has done?
Miyan Saab if you had read before agreeing on NFC award and then 18th amendment provinces will only export surplus. Perhaps then your soul focus was sugar and flour, your mills. Now why blame federal gov or smaller provinces for disproportionate load shading?
Even before that if you had not gone after foreign investors through Saif ur Rehman Pakistan would not have this energy shortage. As you sow so shall you reap. But nice attempt shifting the blame.
Keep your office there for a week only; you will really learn the meaning of loadshedding!!! come one don't make fool of us any more, since you are the CM of power full province you can put on hold all the central Government proceedings by force. Coward approach you people have!!
@Navid: even after 18 amemdment provinces cant make any agreement without the gurantee of federal goverenment. nandipur project is prime example whose file remained wit federal law ministery of babr awan for years.i m in karachi and facing loadsheding of 3 hours only.whats the fault of punjab to face 20 hours loadsheding.
I have a question to PTI supporters that tell me in energy crisis of Punjab where is Imran Khan. ?????When he will get power from you he will give a damn about u and only Shahbaz is standing up whille PTI is not found anywhere.
It seems political point scoring instead of a serious effort to find the solution.
Just an election gimmick... What about your palaces in Riwand Mian Saab?????
in below link he is in a tent where no air condition ... for GOD sake people if someone try to show people that he is also victim and protesting for the bad things he cant be with him he is only one who lead.
if he enjoy in his office with generator what will be the point you have to criticize him again? at least he is the one who use to step out when ever needed.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398480023523943&set=a.398479780190634.83943.272107646161182&type=1&ref=nf
@why - To clarify your misunderstanding KESC has its own production capacity and takes only 600 MW out of total 2100 MW it requires for Karachi. This entire mishap is a political drama whereby LESCO / FESCO / MEPCO employees having majority of PML(N) supporters are doing it on purpose to worsen situation for the Federal govt just before elections.
Will someone PLEASE explain to him that Ali Baba was the good guy? I mean seriously dude!!!
Shahbaz Sharif and his brother Nawaz ought to focus on Punjab and preventing the division of it.
How can PML N say that dividing Punjab is okay but not other provinces????
PTI is introduced in Upper Punjab to end the Punjabi Nationalism for good. According to new Deal of PTI and PPP all Strong members of PTI South Punjab will contest from North Punjab. Imran Khan is not a sincere of the people of Punjab but is here to get Power and nothing else. If people want to end their identity then vote for Imran Khan as he is all about lust and power and nothing else. Also after 18th amendment provinces were given power to produce electricity but the existing Power plants were made by Federal Government then no Province have the right to claim the Electricity of Punjab. *The Upper Punjab is surely being sidelined by the rest of Pakistan and Now everyone else is united with Imran Khan to end the identity of Upper Punjab and replace it with identity less slaves of Pakistan who can be ruled by those people who are not sons of this land *
@why
I think it is not just Punjab, they are destroying the whole Pakistan economy. both Federal and the provincial governments are equally responsible for all this mess.
Karachi case is different, their electricity supplier is a private company know as KESC www.kesc.com.pk/ and they have huge capacity to cater the current demand of the city.
@sajee @kaleem
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time" by Abraham Lincoln. after 18th amendment, province can generate or establish their own power units. It proves the incompetency of both Federal government, all provincial government in resolving the energy crisis.
How many megawatts has Shahbaz Sharif added to the national grid during last four years? How many megawatts did not Nawaz Sharif add to the national grid during his manipulated two-thirds tenure called his second term?
why dont PTI talk about the Law and order situation in Sindh specially in Karachi....
Wah wah wht a solution. Now he will have thousands of police / security guards protecting him under sun and he will be sitting in shed with some airconditioning facility. His staff at the secretariat will be enjoying in his absence. that is absolute topi drama. Instead of distributing laptops you could have bought pple generators and an allowance for fuel from Gov of Punjab funds.
Chief Minister Punjab,
Khadam-e-Punjab, Your Government performance good, but not enough good for the sake of Greater Punjab still security and most related problem with People of Punjab not resolved that time, you need more steps taken for the people of Punjab. Steps should be meaningful start forward with commitment and fox on the issue because you can done everything.Your service can make difference as compare other provinces. Your are handling every issue on time resolving on that time. We can suggest please make an team on youngster they can perform as per your desire and give you a good result. Our great wishes for your Health and commitment
Seems like a Pathetic Blame game due to utter incompetence and lack of performance of the Punjab Govt - After the 18th Amendment the powers are with the provinces.
So Khadim-e-ala's regular office is not accessible to public? Is that what Mr Sharif is trying to imply? Bad governance right there my friend!
He missed the 500M pounds! :)
Good idea. But it was little better if he could have moved to the other side of Ravi.
After much time we now are hearing Punjab case
Bravo!!
When you cannot help them, JOIN THEM. Good Strategy to save your..........face Khadim e Ala Sahib
The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas; for public welfare...
“Politics is the entertainment branch of industry.”
I think US$ 800 Million that your family owns in UK should also be brought back as it also belong to people of Pakistan.
400 Billion Dollars? I though it was PKR...
Also need to fix the Unit for energy deficit to MW