KARACHI, Aug 9: President General Pervez Musharraf has exhorted the officials of utility services and government departments to work hard for welfare, well-being of the people.

He stated this during briefings on electricity, water and gas at the Chief Minister’s House here on Wednesday.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, federal and provincial ministers, advisers to chief minister, members of provincial assembly and nazims of various districts were present.

Expressing his views, the president stated the purpose of such meetings is to create awareness about what is being done in these important sectors and have a coordination so as to do more for the betterment of the masses.

He said focus should be on poverty alleviation, unemployment control, as well as checking prices and inflation.

Gen Musharraf said the standard of living of the people be enhanced and they be provided with utilities, like electricity, gas and clean drinking water.

He also laid stress on bringing about improvement in human resource through quality education and better health facilities.

The president pointed out that the UN has also come up with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.He said we should try to remain ahead of the deadline set by the UN for achieving the MDGs.

With regard to the target for provision of electricity, he said all villages with more than 10 households would have to be electrified by December 2007.

As far as gas is concerned, the target is all district and tehsil headquarters less Umerkot and Tharparker.

For clean drinking water, there should be a filtration plant in every union council by December 2007.

The president stressed that we would have to meet the targets within the stipulated time period.

Referring to the briefing by Chairman, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Tariq Hameed, he said the process of electrification has increased manifold.

Gen Musharraf appreciated the good work being done by WAPDA in this respect.

He said for provision of electricity to all by the year 2007, first power should be made available to villages with 100 and 50 houses respectively and later to villages with 10 houses can be covered.

The president said gas would be provided up to district and tehsil headquarters.

He said it is our planning that electricity, gas and clean drinking water should be made available to the people and that this would be done.

Referring to the briefing by Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), Frank Scherschmidt, the President said the total demand of electricity in the metropolis is 2,300 MW and deficiency at the moment is 100 MW to 200 MW.

He said the problems pertain to generation as well as distribution.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf pointed out that there is a big industrial backlog and asked how the demand for 900 MW additional power would be met if by June next the demand increases from 2,300 MW to 3,200 MW.

He said we are striving for enhancement in the generation of electricity.

The president said by June next the generation of electricity would be about 3,100 MW with the addition of 800 MW but the shortage would remain between 100 MW to 200 MW.

However, the industrial backlog would be cleared by then to a greater extent. He said by 2007-08 we would be able to meet the electricity demand.—APP