Imran-Govt neither procured fuel well in time nor ensured maintenance of the power plants: PM Shehbaz


LAHORE/ISLAMABAD, April 24 (SABAH): Taking notice of the increase in power outages in the country and people’s problems, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered to take emergency measures to significantly reduce power load-shedding by the next month.

Shehbaz Sharif said he will not sit back till people get rid of this problem. He directed to make every possible effort to provide relief the people from the pain caused by the criminal negligence of the previous government.

He said interim measures should be taken till sufficient amount of oil and gas is arranged. He said the government led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had provided ample amount of extra electricity in the country, but unfortunately, the previous government led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan failed to add a single unit to it.

Shehbaz Sharif said the Imran-Government neither procured fuel well in time nor ensured maintenance of the power plants. He said what an irony it is that the Imran-Government closed the most efficient and affordable power plants installed by the last government of the PML-N and used expensive and inefficient plants.

The Prime Minister said the nation is paying 100 billion rupees monthly for this excess of the previous government. He said due to negligence of the previous rulers, one LNG ship that was getting six billion rupees is now costing the nation at the rate of 20 billion rupees.

This tyranny of Imran-Government will cost the nation more than 500 billion this year. He said the previous rulers have hatched a conspiracy to bankrupt Pakistan’s economy by destroying energy sector.

Meanwhile according to a private TV channel, after reportedly having his name removed from the Exit Control List (ECL), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will embark on a trip to Saudi Arabia on April 27, sources privy to the matter said Sunday.

During the visit, the premier will perform Umrah (Islamic pilgrimage) on the sidelines of the visit. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif and JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will accompany the premier, sources said.

Shehbaz announces to reduce prisoners’ sentences all over the country, by two months on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced to reduce prisoners’ sentences all over the country, by two months on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr and also to bring perks of Jail Officers and Staff at par that of Police.

He made this announcement during a visit to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore on Sunday. Shahbaz Sharif also announced the formation of a Jail Reforms Committee, headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, to evolve a comprehensive strategy to facilitate prisoners and overall improvement of the Jail system.

He said that the Committee will include Chief Secretaries of all provinces, Jail authorities, education prisoners and their relatives.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that it is the government’s responsibility to facilitate prisoners as useful citizens of society after completion of their sentence. He stressed upon Jail authorities to utilize all available resources effectively.

Later, Prime Minister made an unannounced visit to a Ramadan Bazaar in Johar Town area of the city. He directed to ensure provision of daily use items to the public at cheaper rates during Holy month of Ramadan.