Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday directed K-Electric and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to resolve their dispute over non-payment of outstanding dues to ensure supply of electricity to residents of the city.
Karachi, (Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2018) : Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday directed K-Electric and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to resolve their dispute over non-payment of outstanding dues to ensure supply of electricity to residents of the city. He was speaking to the media after chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy on the power crisis that has hit residents of the city hard in the sweltering weather for the last few weeks.
The PM said SSGC has been directed to supply adequate gas to the power utility so that it could ensure provision of electricity to its consumers. He said supply of water and electricity would be ensured in the city. He also clarified that the government cannot take over the power utility over its failure to meet growing demand of electricity in the country's largest city. The premier said electricity is available more than its current demand, but load-shedding will continue in the areas where there is electricity theft.
He said if people will pay their electricity bills, power cuts will completely end in the city. Earlier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that CPEC is a reality and two power projects under CPEC are completed and a third one is around completion. He said this while attending a seminar on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) organised by Ministry of Planning and Development in Karachi. "We look upon CPEC as a partnership between two governments," said Prime Minister and termed it a new form of cooperation.
"Three years ago CPEC was unheard of but today it is known globally. The BRI initiative of Chinese President Xi is a project for generations," he said, "Recently, we discussed security and connectivity with Afghanistan, who also recognises CPEC as an opportunity" he added The Prime Minister said multibillion Dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor project will not only contribute to the development of Pakistan but also to the entire region.
He Afghanistan also realizes the benefits of CPEC for the region. It will provide the most efficient trade route to Afghanistan, western China and the Central Asian States through rail and road networks. He said besides highways, motorway projects and energy projects, the up gradation of main line of Pakistan Railways is also part of the CPEC. He said special economic zones to be built under the CPEC will provide opportunities to investors across the world to build their businesses and take advantage of the project.
"CPEC has now become a reality two power projects under the initiative have been completed and the third one is about to be finished." Earlier, PM Abbasi landed at Karachi airport on Monday morning, where Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair welcomed him. Hours-long load-shedding being carried out by K-Electric because of what it says inadequate supply of gas by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to run its gas-fired power plants triggered a political sparring between the PPP-led provincial government and PML-N government at the centre, forcing the premier to take notice of the situation to address it.
Many residential and industrial areas of the city have been facing severe load-shedding of up to 12 hours in a day. Among the areas worst hit by power cuts are blocks 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 of Federal B Area, C-1, C and No. 10 localities of Liaquatabad, Lyari, Orangi Town, Korangi, Safoora Goth, Scheme 33, Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Model Colony, New Karachi, North Karachi and several other areas. Two dead, six injured in separate road mishaps Mian Chunnu, April 23(INP): Two including a child died, while 6 other sustained severe injuries in separate road mishaps in Mianchunnu.
According to the details, a mini truck hit a motorcycle near Karkhana No.6, as a result a 2-year-old minor died, whereas, 3 including 2 women got injured. Another accident took place at Pul Sola, when two motorcycles collided, one lost his life, 3 others sustained injuries. Rescue teams reached the spots and shifted bodies and the injured to the hospital.
