ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took notice of a technical fault in the 969MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project and directed relevant departments to ensure immediate restoration of power supply from the project.

The prime minister, who chaired a meeting on the matter, expressed annoyance over the technical failure of the project which suspended the supply of environment-friendly electricity to the national grid during the peak summer season.

The meeting was told that power production from the project had been affected owing to the closure of 3km tailrace water tunnel.

The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to hold an inquiry into the incident through a reputable international organisation besides ensuring restoration of the power plant.

He said all resources should be utilised to provide relief to the people without delay.

The prime minister told the meeting that the government was about to introduce an effective mechanism for pre-qualification, third party monitoring and evaluation of companies to ensure transparency and quality of the development projects.

Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir, Adviser to PM Ahad Cheema, Member of National Assembly Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.

Lahore team lauded

Meanwhile, the prime minister expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Punjab government for disposal of offal and waste in Lahore during Eidul Azha holidays and lauded the team of officials and workers for their services.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2022