It is our effort to Pakistan self-sufficient in energy sector: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, July 07 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that a national solar energy policy will be announced on the first of next month to address energy related issues.
Chairing a meeting Energy Task Force in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that the enforcement of this policy will be linked to the approval by Council of Common Interest.
Shehbaz Sharif said that PM House and Office will be converted to solar energy on emergency basis in one month.
The Prime Minister said providing cheap and environmentally friendly electricity is the top priority of the government. He said it is our effort to Pakistan self-sufficient in energy sector.
Highlighting benefits of solar energy, he said it is a source of producing clean and environmentally friendly electricity. He said the use of solar energy will help to solve problems like distribution losses, power theft and circular debt.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the steps being taken for the promotion of solar energy in the country. The meeting was informed that a proposal to convert fuel-powered powerhouses to solar energy is under consideration.
The meeting was further informed that a proposal for generation of solar energy on 2000 feeders of 11KV is also under consideration.
The meeting was apprised that up to 1000 MW solar power plants will be installed on government buildings in the next 10 years on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer basis.
The meeting was further informed that solarization of tube-wells will also be done in the country. In this regard, a project is under consideration to switch tubewells in Balochistan to solar energy.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received Turkiye’s new Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci on Thursday. The Prime Minister felicitated the Ambassador on his appointment and extended best wishes to him for a successful term in Pakistan. The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan-Turkiye fraternal ties were unparalleled in inter-state relations in terms of mutual trust, understanding and mutual support on each other’s national causes. He expressed hope that during the Ambassador’s tenure, bilateral cooperation will be further strengthened, especially in the trade and investment domains.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for Turkiye’s steadfast support on Jammu and Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment on Turkiye’s core interests.
Recalling his visit to Turkiye in June 2022, the Prime Minister conveyed that he was looking forward to welcoming President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the 7th session of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) in Pakistan in September 2022.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of 75th anniversary of Pakistan-Turkiye diplomatic relations and underscored the importance of celebrating this milestone in a befitting manner through commemorative events in both countries.