The Punjab Cabinet has on Saturday approved 120 megawatts hydropower project at Taunsa and mapping of wind power potential in Punjab. Cabinet meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, also reviewed in detail the law and order situation in the province, disclosed an official.
It commended the performance of Punjab police over successful operation against the outlaws involved in heinous crimes in the Kacha area of Rajanpur and expressed gratitude to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for providing equipment and logistic support during this operation.
Addressing the cabinet meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan is facing serious crisis of energy that is leaving negative impacts on all sectors, including agriculture, industry and trade, and also affecting the process of investment. "The Punjab government is working on various projects for getting energy through alternate sources and Punjab Power Development Company has been set up in the province for this purpose. A plan of 120 megawatts hydro power project at Taunsa has been prepared and a formal approval to this project was given in the cabinet meeting," he added.
According to him, during his visit to China, an agreement with regard to this project will be made with Chinese company China Water and Electric Corporation. Similarly, the same company will also carry out a survey about mapping of wind power potential in Punjab for generating energy through wind. The Punjab government will not have to provide any financial resources in this regard whereas the Chinese company will bear itself all expenses for carrying out this survey. Keeping in view data to be provided by the Chinese company, the Punjab government will seek co-operation of companies of other countries in the projects of generating energy through wind.
On law and order situation in the province, the Chief Minister said the maintenance of law and order and protection of life and property of the people is responsibility of the government, and all resources are being utilised for this purpose. He stressed upon the law enforcement agencies to make intelligence system more effective and exchange information with each other so that timely action could be ensured against anti-social elements. "An effective system be evolved for checking of all important places, including inns, hotels and guest houses, and if any police official demonstrates negligence in this regard, strict action should be taken against him."
He directed that a plan should be formulated for inducting new blood in police force and removing the shortage of jawans in police and Inspector General of Police and Home Secretary should submit their recommendations in this regard. He appreciated the performance of police over successful operation against the culprits involved in kidnapping for ransom, dacoities, murders and other heinous crimes in Kacha area of Rajanpur.
He also thanked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for providing equipment and logistic support during this operation. He directed the Inspector General of Police that if such hideouts of the outlaws involved in heinous crimes are found anywhere, should be hit hard and the Punjab government will provide all possible resources for this purpose. "A vigilant eye should also be kept on those areas in future where operation against heinous crimes has been carried out," he added.
The Chief Minister directed that the process of preparations be started from now onwards for averting any possible flood in future and wherever repair of protective spurs is needed these should be repaired and strengthened immediately. Earlier, Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mehmood Khan Khosa gave briefing on energy projects in the province.
Secretary Irrigation Rab Nawaz Khan highlighted important aspects of Taunsa Hydropower Project and wind power projects. Inspector General Police Javed Iqbal gave the details of operation against the criminals in the Kacha areas of Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan, progress in investigation of Sakhi Sarwar incident and law and order situation in the province. He said 196 culprits involved in heinous crimes have been arrested during operation in Rajanpur and approval has been given to 41 riverine posts in the province and the construction work of these posts is going on. He further informed the meeting 49 motorboats would also be provided to these posts, which will further improve the performance of police deployed in these areas.
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