PESHAWAR: The federal government will invest up to Rs20 billion in Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the provincial capital and its suburbs.

According to an official statement, under the proposed plan various projects including establishment of new grid stations, installation of new power transmission lines and bifurcation of feeders would be launched.

“The government will invest Rs15 to Rs20 billion to ensure smooth supply of electricity to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Peshawar,” the statement said.

The decision was made in a high level meeting here on Monday. Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired the meeting.

Project management unit to ensure timely execution of power transmission scheme

Federal Minister for Energy and Power Umer Ayub, Special Assistants to Prime Minister Arbab Shehzad, Qasim Shehzad and Nadeem Babar, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, relevant federal and provincial secretaries attended the meeting.

The meeting was informed that project management unit having representation of provincial government would be set up in Pesco to ensure timely execution of power transmission project.

The Pesco high ups were directed to devise a comprehensive plan regarding execution of the project and submit it to relevant forum within two weeks.

The meeting decided to provide gas and electricity to the newly completed projects of provincial government including hospitals, schools and industries.

The meeting was told that substantial progress was made on various projects including 132KV grid stations of Warsak Road and Regi Model Town while work on Wazirbagh grid station and bifurcation of feeders and installation of aerial bundled cable would be completed by the end of current financial year.

Issues of illegal connections of gas and electricity also came under discussion and it was decided that both the provincial and federal entities would work together to overcome the issue.

The meeting was told that uplift projects worth Rs19 billion were approved during current financial year.

The existing gas supply infrastructure is being upgraded while an artery from Mardan to Charsadda and Peshawar is being set up.

The forum was told that in Karak an investment of Rs9 billion was being made in different projects while establishment of safety management system was approved to provide gas to local population.

Issues related to net hydel profit arrears and fixation of gas price also came under discussion and it was decided that a joint meeting of federal and provincial governments would be called soon to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, preparations for the upcoming 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were discussed in another meeting with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.

The chairman of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority, retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa, also attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed proposed projects in energy and power, tourism, agriculture, road, industry and social sectors to be presented to the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting for consideration.

These proposed projects include Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, Chashma Right Bank Canal, Swat Expressway Phase 2, Dir Expressway, Chakdara-Chitral Expressway, Chitral-Shandoor Road, Kumrat Cable Car, Peshawar Circular Rail, Daraban Economic Zone, Mori Kari Hydel Power Project and 500 KV transmission line from Chital to Chakdara.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2020