ISLAMABAD: Deposed prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on his last day in office directed the power ministry to increase electricity generation to 13,500 MW from the current level of 10,500 MW in the next ten days to overcome electricity crisis.
In a meeting held Tuesday, Gilani directed the power distribution companies to ensure equitable distribution of electricity, especially to the far-flung and less-developed areas of the country.
The petroleum ministry was also directed to supply 207 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) gas to the power sector and also ensure requisite fuel supply to the power plants, and directed the finance ministry to provide sufficient funds for the purpose.
Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is currently providing 18,000 to 20,000 tons of furnace oil per day to run power plants.
A government official said that PSO was tottering on the brink of financial collapse, as its receivables had touched the Rs217.39 billion mark, mainly against power sector.
The board of management (BoM) had decided that no oil supply would be enhanced to the power sector on verbal orders from the federal ministries.
“PSO increased oil supply to the power sector within hours on verbal orders from the petroleum ministry to enhance electricity generation, so as to overcome power crisis that has led to countrywide protest and violence,” a government official added.
The finance ministry had released Rs8 billion to the ministry of water and power on Monday of which Rs5.5 billion went to PSO.
According to an official statement, it is expected that the power generation will increase by 40% from the present level of 10,500MW. The supply of 207 mmcfd gas will contribute 1,150MW to the national grid.
It was also decided in the meeting, chaired by the now deposed PM, to set up a crisis management cell in the Ministry of Water and Power.
The cell will work under the supervision of the Cabinet Committee on Energy.
It was also decided that the distribution network must ensure that all the regions of the country get fair share of electricity and also equal load shedding.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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say whatever u want PPP this Inshallah and May my prayers be accepted, will be the last time you ever step foot into seats of power
I'll not forget you Mr. Gillani for the loss i have incurred in my business due to your poor policies over electricity.
Yea right! He gave the orders to increase electricity production on the last day of being PM!! Like all the ministries will have Aladin's lamp to increase production. Can't stop laughing at these people! Saaen tou saeen.. Saeen ka akhrii din bhee saaein
...Trying to become the martyr...
I order that electricity generation be increased to 1 Million MW! This is not a game Gillani sahib, where you just give orders and everything happens it self...
If it were as simple as giving an order, why didn't he do it 4 years ago?
Is that all? Like in the whole day.. he did just this????