Punjab to assist Sindh in Thar coal project: Shahbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that the prevailing power crisis has hit trade and industries in Punjab, and extended the provincial governments support to center and Sindh in Thar coal energy project.

He was addressing two-day second National Energy Conference presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in Lahore to find out ways to resolve the power shortage issue.

According to the government the conference is amid at finding sustainable remedy with the help of stakeholders and technocrats.

The moot was attended by stake-holders from all provinces including Gilgit- Baltistsan (GB) and Azad Kashmir and chief ministers. Representatives from all federal and provincial organizations related to the energy sector also joined the conference.

Addressing on the occasion, Shahbaz emphasized the need of utilizing all available resources for producing energy realizing gravity of the issue. Pakistan is full of natural resources but dictators have harmed the country in past. We must undo their steps, said Shahbaz Sharif.

He urged the federal government to take steps in order to convince wealthy countries of the world, including China and Korea, to invest in Pakistans power sector.

China and Korea can help us meet our energy demands. Immediate steps are needed to be taken to steer the country out of electricity crises. We should not wait and waste the time.

He said Punjab government was ready to assist federal and Sindh government in the Thar coal energy project, also suggesting that sugarcane could be utilized to produce 200 Mega Watt electricity.

Shahbaz was of the view that construction of Bhasha dam would surely help end the energy shortage problem. The whole country is facing energy crisis today, including Punjab.