Sahiwal coal power project to complete in 2017: CM

LAHORE
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting on Saturday which reviewed the progress on the Sahiwal coal power project.
Head of Sahiwal Coal Power Project Song Taiji gave a briefing about the project. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the elimination of energy crisis was essential for the promotion of industrial, trade and economic activities in the country. He said the government was utilising all-out resources for overcoming the shortage of electricity. He said the work on energy projects was being carried out speedily. Shahbaz Sharif said the work was continuing on the generation of energy through coal, hydel, wind, solar, gas and other alternate sources.
He said the initial design of the Sahiwal coal power project had been prepared and an agreement was signed with the Railways for transportation of coal from Karachi. He said the two coal power projects of 660 megawatt each were being set up in Sahiwal and a total of 1,320 megawatt electricity would be generated from the project. The chief minister said the project would be implemented transparently by ensuring high quality and speed. He said that this project of national importance would be completed in 2017. He said the Punjab government would impart training of thermal engineering to 200 Pakistani engineers in China from its own resources. He directed that a comprehensive programme with regard to training of Pakistani engineers in China should be evolved and presented within seven days. Shahbaz Sharif said the setting up of thermal engineering department in Engineering University Lahore should also be considered. He said the decision of imparting training to Pakistani youth in thermal engineering discipline in China by a Chinese company was a welcome step.
The chief minister said he would personally monitor the progress of the Sahiwal Coal Power Project and also visit the site soon. Additional chief secretary energy, Commissioner Sahiwal Division, Chairman Punjab Power Development Company, officials of Chinese companies working on the Sahiwal Coal Power Project and authorities concerned attended the meeting.
industry: Managing Director of a car company, Hirofumi Nagao, called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the government was taking concrete steps for the promotion and development of industry. He said that vehicles were being given to the youth on merit under the Self-Employment Scheme in Punjab.
He said that 50,000 vehicles costing 31 billion rupees were being distributed among youth through a transparent balloting.
Shahbaz Sharif said the Self-Employment Scheme was a historic step towards giving a practical shape to the revolutionary vision of empowering youth. He said the second phase of distribution of vehicles under this scheme had been started.
The chief minister said the cooperation of the company in the scheme of distribution of vehicles was commendable. He said that 2.5 billion rupees of the nation had been saved in the Self-Employment Scheme through successful dialogues. Shahbaz Sharif said that jobs were being provided to the youth and the industry was being promoted due to manufacturing of vehicles in the country. Hirofumi Nagao congratulated Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on completing Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project in a record period and also presented him a key of 250cc motorbike manufactured locally.
Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, MPA Sheikh Allauddin, Secretary Transport and other officials of Pak Suzuki were also present.