CCI approves new power policy

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Common Interest (CCI) has approved the new power policy, Geo News reported.

The meeting of CCI chaired by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif deliberated on the five-year power policy and later approved it.

The five-year power policy envisages a complete end to load shedding in the country by 2017.

Prior to CCI meeting, the prime minister had a separate meeting with the four chief ministers. He exchanged views on the country’s political and law and order situations obtaining in the provinces, while the new power policy also came under discussion.

PPI adds: The CCI approved National Power Policy with consensus of all provinces.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, CM Punjab, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, CM Sindh, Pervez Khattak, CM KPK and Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, CM Baluchistan attended the meeting.

While talking during the meeting, the Prime Minister said that it was the policy of his government to arrive at consensus decisions, a fact which, he said, was eminent from the approval of the current power policy.

“We respect the mandate of all the provincial governments and would support them in their endeavors initiated for the welfare of the people”, added the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister said that the country was passing through a critical phase and demanded greater unity and discipline among all of us.

Later, the report of technical committee on power policy was presented before CCI which unanimously approved the National Power Policy with few additions.

The committee report had incorporated Sindh Government’s demand for developing Coal and Wind Corridors with the facilitation of Federal Government.

The technical committee also proposed Integrated Utility Courts for dealing with electricity and gas thefts and rationalizing the penalties for such crimes in light of principles of jurisprudence.

Both the proposals were approved by CCI and made part of National Power Policy.

The meeting also discussed the transmission and distribution difficulties faced by the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochsitan. The Prime Minister assured that the Federal Government is ready to provide adequate funding and assistance for effective distribution of electricity to these provinces.

The meeting also discussed Energy Efficiency and Conservation measures. The Prime Minister said that conservation of energy needs homogeneous implementation by all provinces so that steps taken to conserve energy have a balanced effect on the entire country.

While mentioning the vast opportunities of Hydel Power production in his province, CM KPK, said that huge investment opportunities are available in the province and his government has already started two Run-of-the-River projects in District Kohistan.

He asked for the Federal Government’s assistance to further explore such opportunities.

The Prime Minister assured CM KPK of the fullest support of the Federal Government and asked him for identification of more such projects for optimum utilization of the Hydel resources.

Chief Minister Sindh said that Wind Resource in the coastal region of Sindh needs to be explored to provide cheap electricity and will suffice the energy needs of the province.

CM Baluchistan stressed upon the need for provision of electricity to Baluchistan from Uch-2 Project to cater for the power needs of the province.

Among others Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi, Minister for Overseas Pakistani and HRD, Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadi Baloch, Minister for SAFRON and Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Minister for Religious Affairs attended the meeting.