Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said the government was committed to address the challenges in energy sector and has undertaken several projects to address the issue. The prime minister told a delegation of Asian Development Bank, headed by Vice President Wencai Zhang, at the PM House that economic indicators this year have improved in comparison with the previous year while progress was being made in the energy sector. He said the government was establishing energy parks in Gadani that will produce 6600 MW of electricity. The prime minister said plans were underway to build Diamer-Bhasha and Bunji dams and maintained that support of ADB was essential in implementing a true reform agenda.
He underscored the high importance Pakistan gives to its development partners. The prime minister thanked the ADB for committing to policy lending to the tune of $1 billion for energy sector and reforms in state-owned enterprises. He appreciated bank’s support for Jamshoro Power Generation Project and said the project was important in view of the current energy crisis and dire need for higher efficiency and alternative sources in power generation.
He also lauded ADB’s Social Protection Development Project to the tune of $430 million and emphasised the continued support. The vice president congratulated the prime minister on his third-time election and said his government was witnessing successful economic reform initiatives. He also appreciated the handling of the fiscal deficit issue and reforms of the state-owned enterprise. “We are sure that Pakistan will enjoy high growth rate in coming years if there is continuity in implementation of reform agenda,” he said, and added ADB was willing to help Pakistan.
The ADB delegation said ADB and government of Pakistan were signing a $900 million agreement of Jamshoro power generation project. He assured that his bank will support the government’s efforts in energy sector. He appreciated government’s policy of regional and international integration and cooperation.
-Dailytimes
