Surplus energy to be available for agriculture, other sectors: CM

Says thousands of megawatts will be generated during next two years

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that resolving the energy crisis is essential for rapid industrial and economic development; that is why, work is being carried out round-the-clock to overcome the problem of energy shortage under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Energy projects are being speedily executed throughout the country, he said, adding that a sum of $34 billion has been allocated for energy projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said the government was serious to resolve energy crisis and all-out steps were being taken for this purpose. He said thousands of megawatts electricity would be generated with the completion of various energy projects during next two years. He said that work was being done on generation of electricity through coal, hydel, solar, wind, gas and other resources. 

He said that with the completion of energy projects, surplus electricity would be available for agriculture, industry and other sectors. He said that 1,320 megawatt coal power plant was being executed speedily at Sahiwal. Similarly, solar based energy projects are being setting up in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur, which will be completed soon. 

He said the Punjab government had already completed 100 megawatt solar power project in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur from its own resources and electricity was being produced from this project. He said that work was expeditiously going on 3,600 megawatt gas-based projects in the province which would help to reduce energy shortage and provide cheap electricity to the masses. He said the government had served the masses by saving billions of rupees in development projects, including energy projects and this policy would be continued in future as well. 

He said that effort of the government would bear fruit to rid the nation of energy shortage. A peaceful, prosperous and enlightened Pakistan would be handed over to the next generation, he added. He said the PML-N government would come up to the expectations of the people in every sector, including energy and honour the promise to remove darkness from every nook and corner of the country. 

The chief minister said that unjustified sit-ins delayed energy projects and had those staging sit-ins mend their ways, energy projects would have been in final stages of completion. He said those doing negative politics had no concern with the difficulties and problems of the people. He said that those creating hurdles in the journey to progress and light were not well-wishers of the masses. 

Shahbaz Sharif said that every effort would be made for completing the projects changing the fate of the country. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, journey to progress of the country and prosperity of the nation would be continued.

Fish seed: Punjab Fisheries Director General Iftikhar Ahmed Qureshi has said that Rs 632 million are being spent on the establishment of new hatcheries and nursery units to meet the growing demand for fish seed as well as to use barren land for fisheries purpose.

In the first phase, 60 acres of land have been procured in Lahore at Bhaseen at a cost of Rs 14 million to establish a large hatchery whereas suitable land is being examined in other districts. He said that main objective of the project was to provide quality fish seed to the fish farmers. He said this while chairing a review meeting regarding the ongoing development projects.

Planning & Development  Deputy Director Ansar Mehmood Chatha and other  officers concerned were also present.

The Fisheries DG said that five nursery units over five acres of land each would be set up in Pakpattan, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Chiniot and Nankana Sahib, and in this regard, suitable land was being explored and after necessary settlement, it would be procured in the next financial year.

Iftikhar Ahmed Qureshi said barren land would be utilised for the promotion of fisheries, and in this regard, a comprehensive plan had been devised at a cost of Rs.165 million.