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President Musharraf wants early completion of energy projects

* WAPDA says country facing power shortage of 1,500 to 2,000MW
* Musharraf says no one will be allowed to disrupt elections

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday directed all relevant ministers to complete small and midterm energy projects to overcome the energy crisis in the country. He also urged them to remove the hurdles concerning the construction of big dams.

Addressing a high-level meeting on energy and atta (wheat) crises, he said the country has a severe need of energy due to its booming economy. He said the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has been directed to complete ongoing projects immediately and no negligence would be tolerated in this respect.

During the meeting, the president was briefed on the energy-saving campaign of the caretaker setup, Online learnt. The president appreciated the campaign and directed the nation to heed it. He said the crisis was temporary and would be overcome soon.

Electricity shortage: WAPDA informed the meeting that the country was currently facing an electricity shortage of 1,500 to 2,000 Megawatts. It said an additional 500 to 600 Megawatts had become available since the Indus River System Authority had started to release excess water.

The Federal Food Committee chairman briefed the president on the atta crisis. The president appreciated the committee’s actions, which have reduced the problems of citizens in obtaining atta. The meeting also decided to improve the coordination between industrial units and other departments to encourage them to conserve energy.

Peaceful elections: Later, the president met Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro at Aiwan-e-Sadr. He told Soomro that no one would be allowed to disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections. He said the government would ensure fair, free and transparent elections. He said the army would help maintain peace during elections, but would not participate in the electoral process.

He said all political parties should act responsibly and cooperate with the government on February 18. The president also declared his four-nation visit a success and hoped that it would boost and enhance relations with Europe. He said Pakistan would continue its role in the war against terrorism, adding, no one would be allowed to launch an attack inside Pakistan. online

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