LAHORE - Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has directed Water and Power ministry to ensure smooth supply of electricity to the people during the month of Ramazan.
Presiding over a meeting at Model Town here on Saturday, the prime minister said the government is first taking action to rid the nation of the energy crisis and a number of projects in this behalf have been started on priority basis. He said the first turban of the Nandipur Power plant with electricity generating capacity of 95MW, would be opened on May 31.
The meeting, also attended by Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, discussed overall political situation in the country as well. The Premier was briefed about the Nandipur and the Gadani power projects. Nawaz Sharif said that people have rejected the elements which are pursuing the politics of chaos and anarchy in the country. He said the government would come down harsh on the elements which impeded its efforts towards elimination of terrorism, and bringing peace to the country. He said side by side overcoming energy crisis, establishment of peace and stability is necessary for prosperity and development of the country. He said the promises made to the people during the PML-N election campaign would be fulfilled at all costs. APP adds: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Saturday approved two additional coal fired power plants to be constructed by the government in Gadani in the mode of Independent Power Producer. Approval to this effect was granted by the Prime Minister in a meeting held here under his chair to review the pace of work on Gadani power project.
The Prime Minister said that attractive tariff for coal fired power plants has drawn investors from the world to invest in the power projects in Pakistan.
He also appreciated Chinese investment in energy sector and especially Gadani Power Park.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister also directed that sufficient funds should be allocated for these additional projects in the Public Sector Development Programme. Earlier, the Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing on the status of the project.
He was told that the feasibility study of the infrastructure installation would be completed by end of June which included geo-technical investigation, water resource survey, jetty break water and cooling water intake system. The environment impact system study would be completed by June 30.
Prime Minister Nawaz Zharif was told that the work on land leveling and grading on the site would start within three weeks and be completed in three months. He was also briefed that the coal handling and conveying system infrastructure would be installed in 22 months. Similarly jetty break water and allied infrastructure would be completed in 32 months.