Shahbaz for policies to overcome energy crisis

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Saturday stressed the need for formulating short and long term policies to overcome energy crisis.

In a meeting with a delegation of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry here at Arfa Kareem Software Technology Park, he said the PML-N if come into power again would serve the people.

Shahbaz said trade and industry were backbone of national economy becuase Pakistan could not progress without investment for which industrialists and traders play a leading role. He assured the delegates that all possible steps would be taken to solve problems being faced by businessmen and policies would be formulated in consultation with them.

The chief minister appealed the industrialists and traders to play their effective role to put the country on the road towards progress and prosperity.

He said the Punjab government had laid the foundation stone of 400 mega watt solar energy project at Cholistan in collaboration with the German Company AEG which would make an investment of one billion dollars.

Punjab had large reserves of coal and Australian experts had given their technical report on coal reserves about salt range, according to which Punjab coal was better than that of Thar coal, and useable for power generation, he added.

On the LCCI delegation's demand, the chief minister directed the aurthorities concerned that recommendations should be submitted to him within two days regarding shifting of leather industry to Shahpur Kanjaran.

While, LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar and other office-bearers hailed the provincial government for implementing a number of development projects as well as the public welfare initiatives.

MNAs Pervaiz Malik and Muhammad Ali Mian, and high-up of the relevant departments were also present.