Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that efficiency, transparency and provision of maximum relief to the common man will be the hallmarks of new energy policy which will be announced after the completion of a consultative process with all the stakeholders including all federating units. The Prime Minister was chairing a review meeting on energy policy at the Prime Minister Office here today. The meeting was apprised by government’s energy team about the salient features of the energy policy. The meeting was told that the “New energy policy will transform the red tape paradigm to red carpet one”, providing maximum facilitation to public as well as investors. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif directed that potential investors at both national and international level must be contacted and apprised about the prospects of better return in the energy sector. He further directed that maximum efficiency level must be kept as benchmark for the energy policy to get maximum results. The Prime Minister also directed that common man must be provided relief as the policy should focus on both reducing the demand – supply gap and also the cost of production. He also directed that transparency must be maintained at all levels of energy policy and its implementation. The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that dedication, zero tolerance to corruption, better management and use of modern technology would yield better results. He said that the country would be back on the path of progress and development as part of government’s initiatives. While referring to the recent MoU signed with M/S Norinco International, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that such other international firms would follow the suit. The Prime Minister appreciated the Ministry of Water and Power for taking steps for automation of distribution system. He said that with minimization of human involvement and digitalization of electricity distribution, the element of corruption and theft would be efficiently checked. The meeting was further informed that in line with direction of the Prime Minister efforts will be made to reduce the cost of production to provide relief to the larger segments of the society. The meeting was apprised that energy mix and utilization of natural resources would be applied to achieve desired results. The meeting was attended by Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Petroleum, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Water and Power, Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, Dr. Musaddiq Malik, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Mr. Shaukat Fayaz A. Tarin, Mr. Zayad Bashir and senior officials.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 07:50:42 +0000