Nawaz scrapped 25,000MW projects signed by Benazir, claims Bilawal

Inaugurates Nooriabad power plant

KARACHI: Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the PPP never played politics on national development but "it is Mian Sahab [PM] who scrapped 25,000 MW power projects signed and approved by prime minister Benazir Bhutto just for his political short-sightedness".

This he said on Friday while addressing the inauguration ceremony of 100-MW gas-fired power project (the first power plant of the Sindh government with joint venture partnership in private sector) at Nooriabad.

He said Prime minister Benazir Bhutto had signed 25,000 MW power projects during her tenure but he [PM Nawaz Sharif] scrapped all the projects and plunged the country into darkness and added he (PM) would be ousted by the JIT (Joint Investigation Team) and if he escaped, then people would oust him.

The PPP chief congratulated Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on installing 100 MW power plant despite serious hindrances created by the federal government.

Bilawal Bhutto said that conspiracies were hatched when the Sindh government created power, distribution and dispatch companies to fail them. "But with the grace of God, both the companies have developed to be successful companies which have installed a power plant and laid the transmission line."

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, addressing on the occasion, congratulated the people of Sindh and said that Sindh had launched its first major power project along with its transmission line. "This is big success and I would say it is the success of the people of Sindh."

Syed Murad Ali Shah said that actually this power plant was conceived by then president Asif Ali Zardari and it was planned to be installed on the abandoned gas fields. "But, the federal government not only refused to hand over the abandoned gas fields but at one stage was reluctant to provide gas for this project. When this project was nearing completion, Hesco refused to purchase power absurdly saying that it had surplus power for the area of its operation." This was something to be ashamed of for Hesco, he said.

The chief minister warned Hesco and Sesco to perform efficiently or pack up. "We would install our power plants, we have our Transmission & Dispatch Company and we would establish our distribution system," he announced. He said the Sindh government had taken several initiatives to eliminate loadshedding in Sindh in particular and Pakistan in general.

He added besides major investment in the development of Thar Coalfield Block II, the Sindh government has provided major support to develop 2x50 MW Gas Fired Power Plant at Nooriabad on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis. It may be noted that Nooriabad is about 85 kms from the port city of Karachi and is connected by a major highway.

The chief minister said that 95-km special purpose transmission line has also been funded by the Sindh government through the Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company (STDC) Limited at a cost of Rs2 billion. He added that the initiative was to eliminate loadshedding in Karachi for improving the industries, employment and well-being of citizens.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said gas was being allocated for 2x50 MW power projects through a decision by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet. He added that the gas quantity was 20 MMSCFD of pipeline quality capable of producing 100 MW. He added that 50  acres of land had already been acquired by the project companies.

Earlier, the chairman PPP inaugurated the power plant by pressing a button in the main control room. The chairman of the power company, Khursheed Jamali, briefed the PPP chairman about the power plant. On the occasion, provincial ministers Nisar Khuhro, Manzoor Wassan, Syed Nasir Shah, MPAs, MNAs and senior bureaucrats were also present.