Power production has increased: CM

Says thousands of megawatt electricity will be produced as energy projects are near completion;Wapda chairman says 2,485mw hydropower projects

will be completed in mid of 2018

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Rs112 billion have been saved from gas-based power projects and as compared to 2013, today electricity production has increased.

Wapda Chairman Lieutenant-General Muzammil Hussain (R) called on Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, here on Sunday.

Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said that completion of energy projects on early basis is our priority. The fast-track work is being done on energy projects all over Pakistan, including Punjab. During the last four years, endless efforts have been done to increase electricity production and today many of the energy projects are near completion and once they are completed thousands of megawatt electricity will be produced.

The chief minister said that 3,600 megawatt gas power projects in Punjab would be completed in record time period. The present government has ensured transparency and high quality in all the projects, he added.

On this occasion, while briefing the chief minister on the development of water and hydropower resources, Wapda Chairman  Lieutenant-General Muzammil Hussain (R) said that 2,485 megawatt hydropower projects would be completed in the mid of 2018 and for this purpose three dimensional strategy has been presented. Completion of under-construction projects on early basis, initiation of construction work on new projects in short period of time and once again transforming Wapda into an active and dynamic organisation are three important factors of this strategy. He said that from the last seven months work has been carried out on this strategy with determination.

The projects include Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower Project and Golen Gol Hydropower Project. Besides, Phase I of the Kachhi Canal Project would also be completed by the end of 2017, which would irrigate 72,000 acre land in District Dera Bugti of Balochistan. The construction work on Kurram Tangi Dam Project has been started last month.

The contract of Canal Khwar Hydropower project has reached the site for initiating the construction work and the main civil works of Dasu Hydropower Project has been awarded and construction work on this project would be initiated the next month.

He said that Wapda is trying hard to award the contract of main civil works of Mohmand Dam and Diamer-Bhasha Dam by the end of December 2017.

KP governor calls on CM: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here Sunday and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and promotion of inter-provincial harmony. Talking on the occasion, the chief minister said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Pakistan is fast moving ahead and as compared to 2013 today Pakistan is more developed, prosperous and peaceful. 

The chief minister said negative politics of stubborn and personal ego is not in favour of Pakistan. He said that need of the hour is to move forward collectively for the progress and development of Pakistan. He said the people living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are our brothers and the Punjab government has included intelligent students from KP and other provinces in its educational programmes. KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said the outstanding performance of Punjab Chief Minister is a role model for other provinces and Shahbaz Sharif has set a new record of public service. 

CM GRIEVED: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief over the death of renowned writer and senior bureaucrat Mukhtar Masood. He offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that may God rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss. He said that late Mukhtar Masood rendered invaluable services for the promotion of Urdu literature and his services will always be remembered in the days to come.