Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has requested France to extend co-operation in overcoming the serious energy crisis, saying French companies and Punjab government can launch joint ventures for the purpose. He said Pakistan is facing serious energy crisis, which is badly affecting agriculture, industries and other sectors, and hydel power, solar energy and bagasse are the cheapest sources of generation of energy.
France should extend co-operation in this regard as this will also provide relief to the masses. He was talking to the French ambassador in Pakistan, Danial Jouanneau here on Friday, disclosed an official. Senior officials of French Development Agency were also present on the occasion.
The CM observed that France is extending commendable co-operation in development of various sectors and people of Pakistan highly value French assistance. According to him, France and Pakistan have deep-rooted economic and trade relations and France has always helped Pakistan. Friendly ties between the two countries are strengthening with the passage of time. France is also extending help to Punjab for the uplift of various sectors, which includes water treatment projects in Lahore and Faisalabad.
He said Pakistan is facing serious energy crisis, which is leaving a negative impact on national economy. Punjab is the green basket of the country and it needs energy for agriculture, industries and development projects. Punjab government is working on the projects of power generation from alternative sources. There are vast opportunities of hydel and solar energy and generation of power from bagasse and coal and the French assistance in the projects of power generation from these cheap sources will be welcomed, he added.
Shahbaz informed that government is working on a 150-megawatt hydel power project at Taunsa Barrage and a number of locations have been identified for hydel power projects in Punjab while conditions are also favourable in south Punjab for solar energy projects. "France should extend co-operation in the projects of generation of energy from solar and hydel power as well as bagasse. The government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the provision of basic amenities to the people and elimination of poverty and unemployment and all out resources are being spent on the welfare and betterment of masses," he maintained.
Speaking on the occasion, French Ambassador, Danial Jouanneau said France is extending maximum co-operation for the development of Pakistan while measures are also being taken in this respect in Punjab and co-operation is being extended in various sectors. He mentioned that France also pledged all out help and assistance to Pakistan at Friends of Pakistan Conference held at Tokyo. "A high level French delegation will visit Lahore for co-operation in various sectors and France will also consider help in hydel and solar energy sectors in Punjab," he said.