Sincere efforts to overcome energy crisis, says CM

Says corrupt rulers of Punjab did nothing for country during dictatorship

LAHORE

Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday. 

Matters of mutual interest and various projects in energy sector were discussed. Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said sincere efforts were made for overcoming energy crisis during two and a half years and work is being carried out on energy projects throughout the country including Punjab. 

He said under China Pakistan Economic Corridor, 36 billion dollars are for the projects of energy sector and work is continuing on various projects in Punjab round-the-clock. He said eleven months ago, Chinese president visited Pakistan in April last year and agreements on projects were signed under CPEC and work was started on these projects in September and now these projects are forwarding to completion. The CM said that under CPEC, coal, solar, wind and hydel power projects are being set up all over the country whereas projects in communication, transport and infrastructure are also being executed. He said speedy implementation of projects after signing of agreements under CPEC is unprecedented. He said 2.8 billion dollars investment is being made on 1,320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal whereas 1,320 megawatt coal power plant project is being set up with same cost at Port Qasim. 

Shahbaz Sharif said China has invested in 900 megawatt solar power project in Bahawalpur. He said 3600 megawatt gas-based projects are also being forwarded speedily in Punjab. He said the problem of shortage of electricity will be resolved with the investment of 36 billion dollars in energy projects by China under CPEC. He said previous rulers committed loot and plunder in development projects and a number of corruption scams also came fore. He said corrupt rulers of Punjab did nothing for the country and the nation during dictatorship. The CM said under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, government is committed to overcome energy crisis and work is being carried out day and night for the completion of energy projects. He said projects are being forwarded in a transparent manner. He said efforts being made under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for elimination of energy crisis are unprecedented. Shahbaz Sharif said loadshedding will reduce substantially after completion of these projects and thousands of megawatts more electricity will be added to national grid after completion of various energy projects at the end of next year.

SPECIAL CHILDREN: Shahbaz Sharif said special children suffering from down syndrome disease deserve special attention of society. He said special children are not less than normal children with regard to abilities and capabilities. He said special children can be made useful citizen of society by providing them best facilities of education and training. In his message on World Down Syndrome Day, the CM said education, training, look after and rehabilitation of special children is our national responsibility and the Punjab government is pursuing a comprehensive programme for care and rehabilitation of special children. He said the Punjab government has improved facilities of education and training in rehabilitation institutions of special children. He said: We all have to pledge on this day for effective treatment and look after of special children suffering from down syndrome”. 

CM CONDOLES DEATH OF MOTHER OF FOUR KIDS: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of four women of a family due to collapse of roof of a house as a result of rain in Bachiana, Faisalabad. He expressed condolences and sympathies with the bereaved family. The CM sought a report of tragic incident from the administration. CM also expressed deep sense of sorrow and grief over the death of renowned writer, critic and researcher Dr Anwar Sadeed. Eulogizing literary services of Dr Anwar Sadeed, the CM said due to his death, the country has been deprived of a great writer and critic of Urdu literature.