PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government said here on Tuesday that a plan of Rs20 billion was in the pipeline to improve distribution system of electricity in the province.

Addressing a press conference, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said that the lawmakers from across the province were briefed about the plan during the visit of prime minister to the provincial capital on Monday.

He said that the system of National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) would be updated to address the shortcomings of the company installations. He said that rectifying those issues would address the electricity problems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “For this purpose, federal government has planned to pump Rs20 billion into power distribution system,” he added.

Barrister Saif said that the huge amount would ensure efficient and steady distribution of electricity in the province. Besides, he said, the move would also address the problems related to electricity in the remote areas as well as help in overcoming power outages.

On the other hand, he said, the meeting also discussed to further improve the electricity wheeling system of the province. He said that the prime minister directed the relevant officials to resolve technical issues obstructing the wheeling system within 30 days.

Barrister Saif also said that the meeting chaired by the prime minister also discussed the off-grid solutions for the province’s remote areas. He said that in that regard, provincial government set up around 300 micro-hydel power plants across the province. Besides, he said, the provincial government also announced to extend the construction of micro-hydel plans to different parts of the province.

He said that government also planned to include water among the renewable energy sources. To that effect, legislation was also in progress to increases sources of funding for hydel projects.

Barrister Saif said that the prime minister was also briefed about the Rashakai project. The premier has also announced to set up six more industrial zones in different parts of the province that will address the issue of unemployment and provide skills development facilities to the youth.

He said that the prime minister also inaugurated special technology zone in Haripur. He said that Rs1.31 billion would be spent on the project. He added that the zone was set up over an area of 86 kanals of land.

Barrister Saif said that the project would be a milestone in promotion of technology in the province.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2022