Cabinet discusses gas, electricity crisis

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet meeting to discuss the issues of gas and power shortage is underway with Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in chair here today.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani summoned the special cabinet on a one point agenda of energy crisis.

According to sources, the cabinet committee on energy will give the suggestions to deal with the situation and to take the financial measures while Minister for Petroleum and Natural resources Dr Asim Hussain will brief on the issues relating to gas shortage in the country.

On Monday, Prime Minister Gilani chaired a meeting of Energy Committee to review the contingency plan for power generation during the canals closure, an annual feature for desilting of the canals.

During the meeting, situation related to the rise in the electricity demand and the emerging decline in hydel production due to the canals closure in winter season was discussed.

The prime minister directed the Energy Committee comprising finance minister, minister for water and power, minister for petroleum, governor State Bank and deputy chairman planning to formulate a programme for minimising the loadshedding and maximising the production of electricity during the canals closure.