July 14, 2008	Monday	Rajab 10, 1429

GUJRAT, July 13: Federal Defense, Commerce and Textile Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said the government lacks funds to overcome electricity crisis in the country and the nation should pray for more rain so that more hydel power could be generated.

Addressing the business community at a luncheon hosted by Haji Muhammad Ilyas, chairman of Pakistan Electric Fans Manufacturers Association (PEFMA), here on Sunday, Mr Mukhtar said the cost of hydel power was 15-20 paisa per unit as compared to the thermal energy which cost Rs15 to Rs17 per unit.

He said more rain would fill dams which would enable the government to generate more hydel power to benefit the public.

On the deposed judges’ issue, he said there was no ambiguity in their reinstatement but the public wanted those judges who could give independent verdicts.

He pledged to send business delegations to foreign trips so that the country’s exports could be maximised. He was optimistic that the PML-N would again join the federal cabinet and said he was running the affairs of commerce ministry till the return of the party to the cabinet.