LAHORE, May 15: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif says the energy shortage problem is the result of non-serious attitude as well as “inept” policies of rulers.

Talking to a delegation of the All-Pakistan Newspapers Society here on Tuesday, he said owing to non-availability of electricity and alleged corruption of the rulers, foreign investment was on the decline.

He said circular debt of rental power plants touched the figure of Rs400 billion due to which international investors were reluctant to invest here. “Punjab is the main target of loadshedding and is a victim of economic exploitation.”

He lamented that the decisions of energy conference were not implemented. Responding to a question about the powers given to the provinces for energy generation, the chief minister said Punjab evolved projects of generation of energy from coal, bagasse and other resources but due to the hurdles created by the federal government no progress could be made.

To a query about the dues against the provinces to get rid of circular debt, Shahbaz said if the corrupt rulers brought back their looted money and returned the amounts plundered from banks and National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL), Punjab would be the first to contribute its share for the payment of dues. He said: “The restoration of Bahawalpur division as a province is different from the creation of new provinces.”

He said the federal government would also have to take some tough decisions in the interest of national survival and solidarity and move forward by relying on indigenous resources.

He said if President Zardari tried to influence general election, the nation would not accept their results.