RAWALPINDI, Oct 16: President Gen Pervez Musharraf Said on Monday the government was pursuing an extensive programme to meet the country’s growing energy needs to sustain high economic growth and fast-paced industrialization.

He was presiding over a meeting to review performance of the power sector. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

President Musharraf said the rapid economic growth and industrialization had increased energy demand manifold and the government had made short, medium and long term plans to meet the future requirements. He underlined the need for tapping all sources of energy.

The president referred to various projects to generate energy through hydel, gas, coal and alternative sources to meet rising industrial demand that in turn would help reduce poverty through more job creation.

Optimum utilization of energy resources was important to achieve the goal of supplying electricity all over the country, he added.

President Musharraf underscored the need for focussed efforts to plug gap between policy formulation and implementation through regular review of demand and supply.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Aziz said the government was encouraging private sector investment in the energy sector.

The government, he said, had formulated a clear policy, streamlined the procedures and reduced approval time to remove bottlenecks hindering the participation by the private sector.

Earlier, Minister for Water and Power Liaqut Jatoi briefed the meeting.

Minister of State for Investment Umer Ahmed Ghuman, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh, the Wapda chairman and others attended the meeting. —APP