Supply of low cost electricity is top priority of government: Minister of State for Water and Power

Islamabad, September 06, 2013 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for Water and Power, Chaudhary Abid Sher Ali while addressing a meeting in the Ministry of Water and Power today said that present political government of PML (N) is committed to overcome the electricity deficit, hobbling our economy in the shortest possible time.

Provision of electricity to the masses at an affordable cost is the top priority of our government. ”Lines losses, power theft and non-payment of circular debt are the major causes of the current electricity shortage which we have inherited from the previous governments.” the minister observed.

He further said, “Had the government during last ten years paid head practically to resolve the energy issue, we would have been in position to meet electricity demand of domestic consumer as well as that of the industrial sector.”

The minister emphasized that we will have to improve our energy mix to cope with the looming crisis of the electricity. Shifting from the furnace oil to the other cheaper fuels like coal fired power generation, hydro power; solar, wind and nuclear power generation provide the best alternatives. In this regard the present government has launched various hydro power projects of 20,000 MW and 6600 MW coal fired Gaddani Power Project to be completed with the cooperation of China.

He told the meeting that first time in the history of Pakistan Rs. 250 billion has been allocated by any government in the Annual Development Program for the development of the power sector.

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