ISLAMABAD, MAY 29, (DNA) – Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCE) here in Islamabad today.

Secretary Water & Power briefed the meeting on implementation status of previous decisions taken by CCE, current load management plan, circular debt, transmission and distribution of power from upcoming power projects and status of utilization of idle power plants.

The CCE was informed that Bhikki and Haveli Bhadur Shah plants were facing normal mechanical problems in some of their turbines which are being resolved with the manufacturer. The Prime Minister directed to complete repairs at the earliest.

It was informed that a special committee in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources is working on chalking out a balanced conversion plan from conventional fuels to LNG. It was further informed that monitoring of power generation and distribution systems is being undertaken regularly with physical and field monitoring of 270 projects. Regular meetings are being held with CEOs of DISCOS to resolve operational issues.

Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources briefed the CCE regarding new gas transmission pipelines being built for LNG from Karachi to Lahore. CCE expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on gas pipelines.

The Prime Minister expressed displeasure over the load-shedding schedule currently being followed and directed that minimum load-shedding be carried out during the month of Ramzan. The Prime Minister stated that proactive and solution oriented approach should be adopted by all line departments with the aim to provide maximum relief in summer season.

It was informed that by March, 2018 a total of additional 9,107 MW power carrying capacity would be available in the transmission system provided timelines are met.

The Prime Minister stated that the government is fully cognizant of the problems faced by masses due to power shortage and will not rest till a significant relief is provided. Keeping in view the urgency of the situation, the Prime Minister has called another meeting of the CCE tomorrow.

Today’s meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and other senior officials.