Power transmission projects should be completed at the earliest: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, June 6 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed to take measures to fulfill the energy needs of the export industry on priority basis.
PM Shehbaz Sharif gave these directions, while chairing a meeting on budgetary proposals for the energy sector in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister decided to make energy reforms part of the budget. He said that renewable energy projects should be started by reducing reliance on the expensive imported fuel in a gradual manner. He said effective measures should be proposed in the next budget in order to control line losses and electricity theft.
PM Shehbaz Sharif further advised to include wind and solar energy projects in the upcoming budget.
Emphasizing the importance of an efficient transmission system, he said power transmission projects should be completed at the earliest. He said transformer metering should be made part of the next budget for the elimination of line losses and the pilferage of electricity.
The Prime Minister further directed to expedite the ongoing solarization projects in the country. He said early completion of hydel projects should be given priority.
The meeting was apprised that four phases of the bidding for solarization of government buildings have been completed, after which several buildings are being shifted on the solar energy.
A detail briefing was also given on the steps taken to provide uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to the export industry.
The Prime Minister directed to finalize these measures and include them to the next budget.
Meanwhile the government has decided to start fixed tax regime for increasing IT exports of the country. The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss budget proposals for Information Technology and Telecommunication sector.
The meeting decided to constitute a committee to finalize recommendations for the IT sectors.
It accorded approval to special incentives for new business start-ups in IT sector and for promotion of business and trade through modern technology and IT. The meeting also approved a special program for skill development of youth in the field of IT and modern technology as well as the establishment of special training IT zones.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said vocational training of the youth is one of the key focuses of the government for which significant funds will be earmarked in the budget.
Noting that currently, IT skills training is being provided to 45 thousand youth in the country, he said laptops will be given to one hundred thousand more youth on merit.
The Prime Minister said the new budget recommendations in the IT sector will open up new employment opportunities in the sector while the Special Technology Zones will ensure tax incentives to IT companies.
He directed the officials concerned to provide special guidance and government support to the youth and organize road shows of the IT sector abroad to spread awareness about facilities provided by Pakistan in this sector.
The Prime Minister also directed the authorities concerned to remove obstacles in the way of fiber cable production at the local level for smooth functioning and development of the telecom sector. He gave the IT sector a target to increase its exports to 4.5 billion dollars next year.