LAHORE, Nov 27: Line losses within the power distribution system all over the country have decreased considerably, says Wapda chairman Tariq Hameed. “We have reduced line losses by 0.8 per cent as compared to the same period of last fiscal year,” Mr Hameed told newsmen after the prize distribution ceremony of the annual Chrysanthemum Flower Show at the Jilani (Racecourse) Park on Sunday.

Last year, the line losses were 22.8 per cent and “we’ve brought them down to 22 per cent.”

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank had withhold funds release for the last three years because the environmental studies of Wapda’s projects were not according to the format of the two donor agencies.

“We’ve met the criterion and hopefully the funds would be releases this year,” he said and added Wapda had already implemented the proposals of the two donor agencies and formed nine power distribution and four other companies in the organization.

Regarding the exhibition, Mr Hameed said the number of participants had decreased “because it’s a costly hobby but the standard and quality of flowers and display have improved.”

Terming Lahore a green city, the Wapda chief hoped the Punjab capital would soon be a city of flowers.

Earlier, the Wapda chief distributed prizes among the winners of nine categories in the exhibition.

Organized by the Horticultural Society of Pakistan, the exhibition would continue from 9am to 10pm till Dec 1.

The following were the recipients of prizes with their category in parenthesis.

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (professionals), Millat Tractors (private institutions), Sikandar Mustafa (amateurs), Aitchison College (educational institutions), Millat Tractors (factories’ gardens), Mian Sadiq of Avari (best growers, hotels), Mian Tanvir (nurseries), Mrs Sikandar Mustafa, Aitchison College principal, Sohail Bashir Rana, Begum Bashir, Latif Khalid Hashmi, Laiquddin Ansari, Malik Waqar (residences).

A special momento was presented to the Floral Art Society of Pakistan for friendly display of flower arrangements.