Development programme: Power sector priority for fiscal 2013

ISLAMABAD: The power sector of the country has been given top priority under the development programme of the current fiscal year to help overcome the energy crisis and lead the economy towards sustainable growth. The government will spend Rs145.151 billion on the development of the power sector whereas Rs47.192 billion will be utilised for water sector development, official sources said. The mega-projects of the power sector include Diamer Basha dam (Rs8 billion) and Chashma nuclear power project (Rs35 billion), they said adding that an amount of Rs115 billion will be invested by Water and Power Development Authority from its own resources. The government under the Public Sector Development Programme will provide Rs26.806 billion for the Neelum Jhelum project, Rs7.187 billion for Tarbela fourth extension hydel project, Rs3.859 billion for Dubir Khawar project, Rs2.173 billion for Allai Khawar project, Rs1.032 billion for Jinnah hydropower project and Rs6.195 billion for the Golan Gol project.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2012.