ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has stressed the need for an integrated energy plan to overcome power shortages and called for setting up fast-track power projects.

During a briefing here on Tuesday, Mr Gilani called for uninterrupted supply of oil and gas to independent power producers (IPPs) to bring an immediate end to unannounced loadshedding.

According to an official handout, the prime minister criticised frequent unannounced load-shedding which sparked riots in Faisalabad.

Blaming mismanagement and inadequate supply of gas and furnace oil to IPPs, Mr Gilani said everyone knew that hydel generation would be at its lowest level during January but IPPs were not given priority.

Mr Gilani warned that strict action would be taken against power distribution companies which failed to achieve targets given to them by the ministry of water and power for recovery of dues, reducing line losses and curbing load-shedding.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of decisions taken last week in a meeting co-chaired by the prime minister and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The meeting was informed that increased fuel supplies over the past three days had ensured generation of 1,800 megawatts and an additional 1,100MW would be added to the system later this week, bringing down the energy shortage to 2,000MW from last week’s 4,500MW.The prime minister was also informed that announced load-shedding would have to be continue till the end of January until water releases from dams were started to boost hydroelectric power generation.

According to sources, the petroleum ministry officials said that the supply of gas from the Tal (Kohat/Hangu) field had become difficult because of the law and order situation in the area.

OGDCL’s Qadirpur Gas Field has also failed to increase its output.

As a result, the country-wide gas shortage rose to 707 billion cubic feet, causing a sharp cut in supplies to the industrial sector.

As a special measure, Mr Gilani directed the ministry of finance to provide requisite funds to optimise power generation and ensure payments to fuel suppliers and IPPs.

Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tareen, Secretary-General to the President Salman Farooqi, secretaries of finance, petroleum and water and power, managing directors of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), Sui Northern (SNGPL) and Sui Southern (SSGCL) attended the meeting.