Efforts underway to resolve energy crisis, says CM

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said serious efforts are being made to resolve energy problem.
The CM was chairing a meeting on Sunday which was attended by Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq. The meeting reviewed various projects in energy sector, especially coal power plants in Sahiwal.
Addressing the meeting, the CM said serious efforts were being made for resolving energy problem. He said work was in progress on coal power plants in Sahiwal with the cooperation of China and the project will be completed in 2017. He said the government was also working on power generation projects based on renewable sources. He said during the recent visit to China, it was agreed to accelerate work on ongoing energy projects and new projects.
He said the Punjab government completed a 100 megawatt solar project, which is the first and the biggest project of its kind in the country, with its own resources and it will soon be inaugurated.
Shahbaz Sharif said the federal and provincial governments have decided to establish gas-based power projects of 3600 megawatts in the province. He said the Punjab government would set up a 1200 megawatt power generation project while the federal government will establish 2400 megawatt energy projects which will be operated with gas. He said the government is sparing no effort for overcoming energy crisis and several projects of power generation will be operational till the end of 2017. The CM said people of Pakistan are waiting for the visit of Chinese president during which foundation stone of a number of projects will be laid. He said darkness will be removed from the country with the cooperation of China. He said a system is being evolved for the supply of coal to Sahiwal coal power plants from Karachi Port. Shahbaz Sharif said the departments concerned should take necessary measures speedily for the supply of coal to the power plants. Khawaja Saad Rafique said the Ministry of Railways will extend all out cooperation for the supply of coal. Additional Chief Secretary Energy gave a briefing on Sahiwal coal power projects. Punjab chief secretary, federal secretary/Chairperson Railways, officials of the company working on Sahiwal Coal Power Project and others attended the meeting.
DFID new chief meets CM: The new head of British Department for International Development (DFID) in Punjab Ben French called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed cooperation between Punjab government and DFID in education, health, skill development and other sectors.
According to a handout issued here Sunday, speaking on the occasion, the CM said the Punjab government promoted acorruption-free culture in the province and standard, transparency and speed had been ensured in the execution of development projects. He said cooperation between Punjab government and DFID in education, health and skill development sectors was continuing successfully while School Reforms Roadmap Programme was also moving forward.
The CM appreciated cooperation of DFID in Health Sector Reforms Roadmap. He said the scope of Skill Development Programme started in four districts of south Punjab with the cooperation of DFID was being expanded to the whole province. He said skilled manpower was also being developed under Skill Development Programme to meet the market needs. He said youths were being imparted various skills through Punjab Skill Development Fund. Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the new head of DFID in Punjab. Ben French while speaking on the occasion said the cooperation between Punjab government and DFID would be promoted.