We are encouraging investment in renewable energy projects to make Pakistan self-reliant in energy: PM Shehbaz
ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has assured to implement a comprehensive strategy to increase the use of electric vehicles and construct the related infrastructure across the country.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Friday, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the government has recently approved a project to generate ten thousand megawatts of electricity from solar. He said this project will not only cut environmental pollution but also ensure electricity generation on reduced rates besides help save foreign exchange by reducing import of expensive fuel.
He said we are encouraging investment in renewable energy projects to make Pakistan self-reliant in energy. Proposals were furnished in the meeting regarding the inclusion of electric buses in the public transport.
The meeting was informed that the construction of necessary infrastructure for the electric buses and vehicles will help significantly reduce import bill as well as attract foreign investment in the country and generate job opportunities.
The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to furnish a comprehensive plan forthwith in this regard.
He also directed the departments concerned to extend maximum facilitation to the investors in this sector.
Meanwhile a delegation of All Pakistan Chinese Enterprises Association (APCEA) called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday.
The delegation headed by Association’s President Yang Jianduo presented a cheque of one hundred and four thousand dollars to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the flood-affected people.
The Prime Minister thanked the Association for extending help for the flood-affected people.
Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani also called on the Prime Minister and presented him a cheque worth 11 million rupees for the flood victims.
Besides, former presidents of Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Shoaib Butt and Akhlaq Butt also held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and presented him a cheque of substantial amount for PM Flood Relief Fund.
Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan was also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Friday.
The Sindh Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on the progress regarding relief and rehabilitation efforts for the flood victims in the province.
He thanked the Prime Minister for his personal interest in helping the flood victims and restoring the damaged infrastructure.
Syed Murad Ali Shah also thanked the Prime Minister for giving special attention to the project of Karachi Circular Railway and development of Thar coal mine. Matters pertaining to political situation of the country were also discussed in the meeting.
Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon was also present in the meeting.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said various initiatives launched by government on Thursday are aimed at empowering and facilitating the youth to become entrepreneurs. In his tweets on Friday, he said this is merely a beginning and a lot more will be rolled out in the weeks and months to come.
The Prime Minister said nations derive their strength from the youth who power their journey and animate their future. This in turn requires investment in their development. He said it is unfortunate that some power-hungry politicians have had no qualms about making them prey for their partisan agenda.