July 27, 2007	Friday	Rajab 11, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the intended expansion of operations by independent power producers (IPPs) demonstrate the confidence of overseas investors in the policies of the present government.

He stated this while talking to the Executive Director Asia, International Power Plc. Vince Harris who called on him here on Thursday.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the increased power generation would help to supplement the electricity needs. He said the private sector was contributing in the government's efforts to bridge the gap between demand and supply in the power sector.

He said that the government was encouraging investments by the private sector and a level-playing field has been provided to the local and foreign investors.

Mr Aziz said the demand in power sector was growing by 9.5 per cent annually mainly due to high growth achieved by the country and the government is engaged in tapping all available sources of energy to keep a balance between the demand and supply.

He was of the opinion that the surge in demand of power was mainly due to better living standards, growing middle class, electrification of rural areas and increase in irrigation and industrial demand - all of which necessitates more electricity generation.

He said the government was trying to utilise all sources of energy and maximise output from hydropower and other alternate energy sources including solar, wind, biogas and coal. Under the energy security strategy, he said government will exploit all available resources of commercially viable energy both domestically as well as from abroad.

He said that the government was focusing both on enhancing the indigenous capacity as well as on importing gas from the neighbouring countries to meet the energy needs.

Mr. Vince Harris said his group was planning to expand their operations in Pakistan and are exploring several proposals.