Sherpao asks WAPDA to help boost economy

Staff Report

LAHORE: Federal Water and Power Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao has directed the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to improve because, he said, Pakistan�fs economy depended on water and power development.

Presiding over a meeting at WAPDA House on Wednesday, the power minister hoped WAPDA would be able to revive and strengthen its development activities. The Water and Power Ministry would also help WAPDA extend its network, he added.

Mr Sherpao directed WAPDA to accelerate village electrification to help the national economy, develop agricultural production and improve people�fs social and economic conditions. Agriculture, he said, was the backbone of the economy and it remained the government�fs focus of development. The WAPDA chairman assured the minister that the authority would make efforts to meet its targets and improve its consumer services, particularly rural electrification and reduction in line losses.

WAPDA Power Member Habibullah Khan gave an overview of power generation, transmission lines, grid systems, reduction in line losses, rural electrification, the grant of new connections and recovery of revenue.

He said the Ghazi Barotha�fs fourth unit was expected to begin commercial operation in March, while the fifth one would start by June. The minister was apprised of the effort being made to improve WAPDA’s systems and reduce line losses under an upgrade programme with Rs 4 billion allocated this year.

Mr Sherpao expressed satisfaction over WAPDA’s performance and urged it to take maximum measures to help its consumers. Additional Power Secretary Riaz Khan, WAPDA Chairman Tariq Hamid, Power Member Habibullah Khan, Finance Member Javed Nizam, Water Member Mohammad Amin and the Power Wing general managers attended the meeting.

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