July 06, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday said the government was encouraging the private sector investment in energy sector to meet the rising demand of power.

Reviewing the progress of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in a meeting held here, the prime minister said the electricity demand was growing by 9.5pc per annum and the government was taking short- and medium-term steps to overcome the gap.

He said that achieving energy security was among major the priorities of the government.

He noted that a number of power projects were in various stages of their completion in the public and private sector.

He said the economic stability, consistency and continuity of the investment-friendly policies had restored the confidence of investors and a number of companies had shown interest to invest in the power sector.

The meeting was attended among others by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Energy Mukhtar Ahmed, Secretary Water and Power, Managing Director PPIB, Secretary Petroleum, Chief Executive Officer Uch Power Project and senior officials.—APP