PM for no power cuts during Sehar, Iftar

F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed for minimum power load management during the summer season, and zero power cuts during Sehar and Iftar in the holy month of Ramazan.
The prime minister while expressing his displeasure over the construction of 500kv Thar-Matiari power transmission, directed for ensuring departmental proceedings against the negligent officials. He also questioned the delay in the completion of the power transmission in the stipulated period of time.
The prime minister was chairing a meeting to review the demand and supply of power during the summer season, and the work on different power sector projects, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. The meeting was briefed over expected power demand, and supply and load management during the upcoming summer season. The meeting was also apprised of the progress on the government’s 10,000 megawatts solarization project.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Khurram Dastagir, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Syed Murtaza Mahmood, Ahsan ur Rehman Mazari, PM’s Advisers Ahad Khan Cheema, Ministers of State Dr Musadik Malik, Muhammad Hashim Notezai and PM’s Special Assistants Jehanzaib Khan, Syed Fahad Hussain and other relevant authorities. The meeting was told that the government was taking steps on priority basis for the solarization of the official buildings and its implementation would be ensured in the targeted period.
The prime minister directed for expediting the process of solarization and also asked for the reconstitution of the NTDC board. A proposed policy for the preparation of the indigenous solar panels would be presented before the cabinet in its next meeting while the policy for the manufacturing of the electric bikes at the local level was also in the final stages for which consultations with all the stakeholders had been completed.
For the conservation of gas, under the prime minister’s directive, the process for installation of conical baffles in the geysers had been completed one month ahead of the set period of time. The manufacturing of the power-consuming fans and incandescent bulbs would be completely banned after June 30 this year and relevant production units had been informed of the decision.
The meeting was further informed about the cabinet’s energy conservation plan of January 3. The prime minister directed all the provinces to strictly implement the plan and take stringent actions against the elements violating the policy measures. The prime minister also stressed upon running an organized campaign in media over the conservation of energy, besides inclusion of the subject in the educational syllabus of educational institutions.
The meeting was apprised of the progress on the solarization of agriculture tube wells. Besides, holding of consultation with the stakeholders, recently a national awareness seminar had also been arranged at the national level, it was informed.
Shehbaz launches mobile schools to promote child literacy: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday terming children the ‘future builders of the nation’ said the government would provide maximum educational facilities to them.
Addressing the launch of mobile schools under the project ‘School on wheels’, he said the step would increase the literacy rate in the country, particularly in the rural areas. In the first phase, the mobile schools consisting of eight buses will provide primary-level education to the children of Islamabad and adjoining areas. The buses have been equipped with computers, desks, whiteboards, and LCDs, to create an effective teaching and learning environment. Shehbaz Sharif said the government would increase the number of buses and expand the project to the rest of the country and Azad Kashmir.
He expressed satisfaction that the project would mainstream the children in rural areas who faced the unavailability of modern educational facilities. Also, he said, the mobile library would promote a reading culture among the children. He said education was a vital factor to make a society developed and cultured.
The prime minister on the occasion interacted with the schoolchildren and encouraged them to take interest in learning. Earlier, the prime minister launched the countrywide Spring plantation campaign by planting a sapling. He urged civil society and the general public to participate in the plantation drive to save future generations. He pointed out that cities were transforming into concrete jungles and the deteriorating environment needed urgent rectification through the plantation of trees.
ADB renews resolve to work with Pakistan on economic challenges: A delegation of Executive Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) of Japan, China and South Korea called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here Tuesday and renewed ADB’s resolve to continue working closely with Pakistan in addressing its economic challenges.
The prime minister lauded ADB’s longstanding association with Pakistan and for being a reliable partner in the socioeconomic development of Pakistan. He appreciated ADB’s generous support in the wake of the 2022 floods. This includes the emergency relief grant, Post Disaster Needs Assessment, and pledges made during the Climate Resilience Conference in Geneva.
The prime minister appreciated ADB’s financing across key economic sectors of Pakistan, particularly transport, energy, climate change, and social sector. He expressed the hope that ADB’s would continue its strong partnership with Pakistan in addressing the country’s macroeconomic challenges. The participants were apprised that the 9th review under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme is progressing well with staff-level agreement expected in the next few days. The prime minister underlined that Pakistan is committed to complete the reforms agreed in the programme. The ADB’s executive directors expressed their deep satisfaction with the government’s efforts in addressing the huge challenges of the devastation caused by the recent floods. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and relevant senior officials.