Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has blamed provinces for power theft and stated that the federal government does not get required support from the provinces against the ongoing pilferages. Speaking at a news conference on power sector here on Tuesday, the Prime Minister stated that the federal government once again offers provinces to take control of power and gas sectors. "We are ready to hand over power and gas sectors to the provinces because the federal government cannot deal with the power theft without their support," he said. Abbasi also claimed that 100 MMCFD gas was allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government but it remained unable to generate any power from gas. The Prime Minister said if present government leaves any circular debt, it will be lesser than the quantum of 2013.
Abbasi claimed that the government has resolved power sector issue during the last five years by adding over 10,000MW to the system and increased available capacity to 28,704MW in 2018 from 18,753MW in 2013.
The Prime Minister admitted challenges of transmission and distributing system and stated NTDC is taking care of them by spending money on it.
Abbasi also claimed that power generation stands at over 17,000MW in May 2018 as opposed to 11,170MW in May 2013 while total units produced in May are 25 percent higher as compared to 2013. Total generation in terms of units in 2013 was 9.9 billion and increased to 14.6 billion units in 2018, he added.
The Prime Minister said that the demand increased to the historic high level of 24,800MW on Monday last at Iftar. Abbasi said that 25 percent additional demand was met during the last five years and the government not only catered for the demand but also for future requirement as well. He maintained that monthly consumption in April 2013 was 6.3 billion units and now in 2018 it stands at 9.3 billion units, 45 percent up. The Prime Minister said that power demand was suppressed in the country as the latest power consumption figures show an annual demand of around 8-9 percent.
The Prime Minister said that there was a significant decline in hydel power generation due to availability of 7 percent less water as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. He said that water shortage affected hydel power generation which was halved to 3000MW against hydel generation of 6000MW in2013. "We face a shortfall of 3000MW from hydel sources," the Prime Minister said and added that there is zero load-shedding during Sehar and Iftar hours for 90 percent consumers while two hours load-shedding is on high loss feeders.
Abbasi said that the government has also worked out next seven moths demand-supply estimates with a nominal shortage of power generation of 363MW in June and 403MW in July as power demand will be 22538MW against the generation of 22176MW. The Prime Minister hurriedly clarified that these are average numbers and can undergo variations; however, he stated that there will be surplus electricity from July 2018 onward.
Abbasi also claimed over 10,000MW will be added to the system in the next three years and 17000MW by 2025 and urged future governments to take measures keeping in view the demand-supply situation. "Power issue has been addressed but there may be timely issues due to power tripping and the situation is now much better as compared to the past," he added.
Answering a question, he said that national consensus has been developed on water issue for the first time and CCI approved power policy which will be implemented and Mohmand and Bhasha dams are to be completed.
The Prime Minister said that without LNG, there will be 8-10 hours load-shedding and challenged (Sheikh Rashid Ahmed of AML) to debate with him on any television program on the matter. On the issue of Kalabagh Dam, he said that there is need to have dialogue.
He said he does not see Imran Khan becoming prime minister and even if he becomes prime minister and puts his (Abbasi''s) name on ECL, he will face it as he had faced after the Musharraf coup in 1999.
In reply to a question, he said, "I cannot discuss National Security Committee (NSC) in media because I have taken oath."
About FATF meeting, he said that Pakistan will report on compliance with the articles of Security Council and in his opinion Pakistan has been able to comply with the articles. However, he said if there is any lacking, Pakistan, which has remained on grey list, will again be placed on grey list. "We do not want Pakistan to be on grey list," wished Abbasi.