ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that efficiency, transparency and provision of maximum relief to the common man will be the hallmarks of new energy policy, which would be announced after the completion of a consultative process with all the stakeholders.
The prime minister was chairing a review meeting on energy policy at the Prime Minister Office on Monday. The government's energy team apprised the participants of the meeting about the salient features of the energy policy. The meeting was told that the "new energy policy will transform the red tape paradigm into red carpet and would give maximum facilitation to public as well as investors”.
The premier said that potential national and international investors must be contacted and briefed about the prospects of better return in the energy sector. “Maximum efficiency level must be kept as benchmark for the energy policy to optimise results.”
He said that common man must be provided relief as the policy should be focusing on reducing the demand-supply gap and production cost.
He asserted that dedication, zero tolerance to corruption, better management and use of modern technology would yield better results. “The government wants to bring back the country on the path of progress and development through its initiatives.”
While referring to the recent MoU signed with Norinco International, the premier hoped that other international firms would come forward to invest in energy.
He appreciated the Water and Power Ministry for taking steps for automation of distribution system. He said that with the minimisation of human involvement and digitalisation of electricity distribution, corruption and theft would be efficiently checked.
The meeting was informed that efforts would be made to reduce the production cost to provide relief to the masses.
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr Musaddiq Malik and Shaukat Tareen were among the attendants of the meeting.