Staff Report

LAHORE: The second National Energy Conference was underway in Lahore on Monday to find out ways to resolve the power shortage issue, SAMAA reports.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani presided over the conference amid at finding sustainable remedy with the help of stakeholders and technocrats.

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

Addressing on the occasion, Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif 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 which is also Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president.

He urged the federal government to take steps in order to convince wealthy countries of the world, including China and Korea, to invest in Pakistan’s 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 Thar coal energy project, suggesting that sugarcane could be utilized to produce 200 Mega Watt electricity.

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