ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reiterated that the government is committed to add 10,000MW electricity to the national grid during current PML-N tenure, however, he directed the authorities concerned to get shops and markets closed earlier.
The premier said this while chairing a high-level meeting on the prevailing energy situation in the country at the PM House. He said the government was taking all the steps necessary to meet the energy shortages and the electricity would be generated through solar, wind, hydro, nuclear as well as LNG.
Sharif said the PML-N government was focusing on development and was confident that increased availability of electricity would not only provide relief to the common man with reduced loadshedding but also give a boost to the industrial and agricultural sectors.
The PM was informed that the country was currently facing a shortfall of around 5,000-6,000MW of electricity, which is expected to rise with the passage of time. He was given a briefing on the progress on power generation projects being undertaken to meet the power shortfall.
The PM directed the Ministry of Water and Power that loadshedding in summer should not be more than six hours in urban areas and eight hours in rural areas. He also directed the ministry to take steps for conservation of electricity, including considering closure of shops and markets earlier.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dhaga and Secretary Petroleum Arshad Mirza.
