ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed early completion of hydropower projects to overcome energy shortfall.

He was chairing a meeting held in Islamabad on Monday to review progress of work on different hydropower projects.

The Finance Minister said the cost of Neelum Jhelum Hydro power project has been increased due to delay in its completion.

On this occasion, Chairman WAPDA Zafar Mehmood gave a detailed presentation on the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project and other progress.

The meeting was informed that progress of work has reached 72 percent in the tenure of the present government and it will be completed with utmost efficiency.

The Finance Minister directed to form a team to re-engage Islamic Development Bank and Exim Bank China for the speedy funding of the project.

Meanwhile, Chairman NEPRA Brig. Tariq Saddozai along with his team called on the Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar this evening at the Finance Division.

The Finance Minister appreciated the role of NEPRA as an efficient regulator in the power sector maintaining a balance between the interests of the consumers and the rights of the investors. He also appreciated the efforts of the members of NEPRA in performing their duties efficiently.

The Minister also directed Secretary W&P to work in collaboration with all the authorities including NEPRA concerned with service providing in the power sector for improving the overall system of power supplies for the benefit of the common man and for the progress of the country.

The meeting was participated by members of NEPRA from Punjab, Khawaja M. Naeem, Sindh, S. Masood ul Hassan Naqvi and KP Himayat Ullah Khan along with the senior members of Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Water & Power.