FAISALABAD - Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has categorically and emphatically asserted that there would be no loadshedding after December 31, 2009. He was addressing the workers of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) at Chenab Club here on Tuesday. He said that PPP has been confronted with multifarious and multifaceted challenges of unemployment, law and order situation in addition to loadshedding of electricity. He paid rich tribute to the vision of President Asif Ali Zardari and leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and said that sincere efforts are being launched to overcome these crises with the active support of the masses. He underlined the importance of electricity in national economy and said that there was shortfall of 3500MW when PPP took over. 'We made concerted efforts without wasting a single minute, he said and added that 4 billion dollars have been invested in energy sector and at least 3500MW would be added in our system bringing a permanent end to the menace of loadshedding. He said that same electricity crisis was prevalent in 1994 during the government of Benazir Bhutto. He was sanguine of the abilities and farsightedness of the then prime minister and said that she negotiated with IPPs and at present these IPPs are contributing 5000 to 5500MW to the distribution system. He said that PPP govt was once again planning to overcome any future shortfall of energy to save country from the clutches of loadshedding. He said there was difference of Rs164b in billing and electricity purchased. This is a direct burden on govt resources; he said and added that Pepco had to pay Rs185b to the electricity companies when PPP took over last year. Similarly, electricity companies had liability of oil companies and oil companies were to pay to the refineries. We have cleared dues of Rs85 billion while remaining amount would also be cleared very soon, he added. Continuing, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that Pepco has saved 1500MW of energy with upgradation and improvement in its system. 'We had to invest $1.5billion, if new power houses of this capacity would have to be installed, he added. He also thanked people who cooperated with Pepco in saving energy by promoting the use of energy savers. He once again said that new plants are coming and another 3500MW of energy would be added in our system. He lauded the constructive role of media and hoped that it would also play its role in overcoming the prevailing crisis. He said that Pakistan was passing through war-like situation and unity among all segments of society is required to drag out Pakistan from these crises. He said that Pakistan has shortfall of only 3,500MW, whereas electricity shortfall in India is 40,000MW. The industries in India are getting electricity for only five days in a week. But they are braving this situation with a sense of responsibility, he added. About hydel projects, he said that work is in full swing on Neelum-Jhelum Project while work on Kahota Project would be initiated very soon. He said that a preparation for Bhasha Dam has also been started while international financial institutions have assured to finance $12.7b for this mega project. He asked the people to have confidence in PPP and give some time to its govt to overcome the prevailing crisis. About Fesco, he expressed satisfaction over its performance and said that its workers should now control line losses. He announced honorarium equivalent to the salary of two months for Fesco employees and assured that recommendation to give status of big city to Faisalabad would be forwarded to prime minister on Wednesday. He also assured to set up a burn unit in Wapda Hospital.