Power crisis to end after 2018: Nawaz

PM says govt is also aiming to reduce the cost of electricity

FAISALABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared on Friday that the nation will witness an end to the power crisis after 2018.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of a 1,230 megawatt power plant at Haveli Bahadur Shah in Jhang on Friday, the prime minister said the mega projects initiated by his government spoke volumes about their roadmap of the prosperity and progress.

Read: Power crisis: Load-shedding to end by 2018



“In the past two years, we have made hectic efforts for evolving a roadmap to put the country on a right direction and now the fast-paced implementation of this agenda is being carried out, which is bringing a positive impact in all spheres of life,” he said.

He said his government was not only striving for reducing the load shedding in the country but its priority was to reduce the cost of electricity for domestic, industrial and agriculture users so as to accelerate pace of progress in all the sectors.

Read: Efforts being made to end power outages: CM

“My government has once again changed Karachi into the city of lights and accelerated the mega city’s pace of economic and manufacturing activities, which were earlier plagued by terrorism, targeted killing, kidnapping for ransom and insecurity,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif said now the foreign investors, who used to call Pakistani entrepreneurs, especially exporters and importers, to Dubai for striking deals, feel comfortable to make their deals in Karachi.

“All economic indicators are positive. Pakistan is no more in the negative list of economic activities. The growth rate is also moving upward. In the next three years, we will bring unbelievable progress and development in all sectors,” he said.

Read: Due diligence: Construction of coal power plants stayed

The premier said his government was launching power projects with transparency to provide energy at a lower cost. “Only through Bhikki, Bhalloki and Haveli Bahadur Shah projects, the country will save Rs18 billion per year while in the 30-year lifespan of these projects the national kitty will save a record Rs.570 billion.”

The prime minister said after completion of Lahore-Karachi Motorway, the people will reach Karachi in 6-7 hours, which will also save air travel costs. “Likewise, the Hazara Motorway project will also accelerate the pace of development and progress in the country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2015.