PM Gilani calls for release of funds to PEPCO

ISLAMABAD: In an effort to reduce shortage of electricity in the country Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately release funds to Pakistan Electric Power Company (Private) Limited (PEPCO) so that fuel supplies can be resumed to thermal power plants.

The Prime Minister gave the directives while chairing a special emergency meeting at the Prime Minister house here on Monday on the prevalent energy crisis in the country.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has also been directed to restore fuel supply to power plants including KAPCO and HUBCO, which should generate additional 2,000MW electricity into the system.

According to a report PEPCO is facing a loss of around Rs42.3 million due to electricity theft and non-payment of dues.

Prime Minister Gilani also directed Minister for Water and Power to bring all the provinces on board regarding the acute energy shortage.

The committee comprised Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Nadeemul Haq and Acting Governor State Bank of Pakistan and headed by the Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh.

The committee will submit its recommendations in a special cabinet meeting soon to resolve the power outages in the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011