Resolving energy crisis by 2018 top priority, says Nawaz

Published October 9, 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif performed ground-breaking of 1180MW Bhikki Power Plant at Sheikhupura on Friday afternoon. ─ Reuters/File
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif performed ground-breaking of 1180MW Bhikki Power Plant at Sheikhupura on Friday afternoon. ─ Reuters/File

SHEIKHUPURA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that he never promised to steer the country out of the severe energy crisis six months after assuming power but vowed the get rid of energy issues during his five year term.

The premier was speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of LNG powered Bhikki Power Plant in Sheikhupura district of Punjab.

The premier claimed that he and his team are working day and night to overcome the energy shortage which has made life difficult for the business community and the populace of the country.

"NEPRA had approved Rs95 billion for the project while the project was built in Rs55 billion", claimed the PM and added that his government is working not only to raise overall power production but also reduce cost.

He added that with cost reduction, the government can directly benefit commercial and domestic power consumers of the country.

In an apparent jab at political rival, PTI's Imran Khan, the PM remarked that one cannot produce power by burning electricity bills on a container but has to build power projects.

The premier reiterated that his 'hard working' team is making all efforts to overcome the energy shortage by 2018.

The prime minister was accompanied by Punjab Governor Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The power plant will be commissioned jointly by Harben Electric International of China and American General Electric at a cost of 55 billion rupees.

Related: Punjab cabinet approves Bhikki power project

Opinion

A state of chaos

A state of chaos

The establishment’s increasingly intrusive role has further diminished the credibility of the political dispensation.

Editorial

Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...
Iranian tragedy
Updated 21 May, 2024

Iranian tragedy

Due to Iran’s regional and geopolitical influence, the world will be watching the power transition carefully.
Circular debt woes
21 May, 2024

Circular debt woes

THE alleged corruption and ineptitude of the country’s power bureaucracy is proving very costly. New official data...
Reproductive health
21 May, 2024

Reproductive health

IT is naïve to imagine that reproductive healthcare counts in Pakistan, where women from low-income groups and ...