LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has constituted a special committee to formulate recommendations for new power policy of Punjab under the chairmanship of Senior Provincial Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad, while the committee will formulate its recommendations within five days keeping in view all technical and legal aspects regarding power policy. He formed this committee while presiding over a meeting of Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) at Chief Minister Secretariat on Friday. Senior Minister Raja Riaz Ahmad, senior member board of revenue, secretary irrigation, secretary mines, concerned senior officers and experts from private sector attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed in detail various projects of power generation in Punjab. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said new power policy would be evolved in the light of the special committee recommendations while the cabinet would give its approval. He said speedy completion of hydropower projects was vital for development and prosperity of Pakistan. He said, If we wanted to overcome the energy crisis we will have to review the existing power policy and will have to make it attractive for investors and to make sure the energy projects be completed at the earliest in a transparent manner. He said the government would start execution of work on 120MW hydro-power project at Taunsa Barrage and those investors who would show their intent to invest in this project during the construction process would be encouraged. The meeting gave approval to various solar and thermal energy projects. The meeting also discussed in detail the provision of irrigation water to the province of Punjab by IRSA and decided the matter would be taken up with IRSA for ensuring provision of due water share of Punjab and the prime minister of Pakistan would also be contacted in this regard. Meanwhile, the chief minister said there were cordial relations between Pakistan and Oman and the launch of Oman Airline service for Islamabad and Lahore will further strengthen these ties besides promoting tourism and bilateral investment between the two countries. He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony at the launch of Oman Airline service for Islamabad and Lahore, at a local hotel. Ambassador of Oman Al-lawati and Managing Director Geries International Oman Air Akram Wali Muhammad also spoke on the occasion. The CM said there were vast prospects of investment in energy, dairy-farming, livestock, fruit and vegetables sectors in Punjab. He said the govt was providing all possible facilities to foreign investors. He said Oman Airline service to Islamabad and Lahore would result in enhancing socio-economic activities and cementing trade and economic ties between the two countries. Ambassador of Oman said brotherly and friendly ties exist between Oman and Pakistan, however, there was a need to further promote trade and economic relations. He said thousands of Pakistanis were living in Oman and playing an active role for the uplift of various sectors. He thanked the chief minister for his participation in the ceremony.