Govt taking steps to minimize loadshedding: Naveed Qamar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar has said that government is taking all possible steps to minimize the duration of the loadshedding so that people's problems could be reduced during summer.

Talking to Pakistan Peoples Parties (PPP) Information Secretaries from various districts gathered here to attend seven-day training workshop that about 3000 megawatt electricity have been added to national grid during the last three years. "We are doing our best to bridge the power demand and supply gap" he added.

Naveed Qamar said power situation has worsened as pervious government did not start not even a single mega-project to meet growing demands of the country.

He said no area has been exempted from the power loadshedding. Loadshedding is being done in cities and villages under a well prepared plan and without any discrimination.

Maximum electricity is being produced from the existing power production units, he said.

The Minister said work on Basha dam would be started soon as the formalities have been completed.

He said USAID has given 10 million dollar for the construction of a colony at the dam site.He added that enough amount has been allocated for the purchase of land for Basha dam project.

To a question he said former president Pervez Musharraf only inaugurated the Basha project on paper while on practical steps were not taken by his government to initiate work on this mega project.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011