Energy crisis to vanish in a few years, says prime minister

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured the nation that a shortfall in the energy sector would be overcome by his government in a few years as the steps taken by the government for overcoming the energy crisis are yielding positive results, and 3G Spectrum Technology will usher in a new era for the country.

He said this on Thursday while talking to a three-member delegation belonging to the telecom industry, comprising Jo Lender, CEO Vimplecom, Augie K Fabela, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus, and Rashid Khan, CEO and President Mobilink.

The meeting took place at the PM House.

Prime Minister Nawaz said that growth in the country’s economy was evident from the economic indicators and the trust shown by the multilateral donors. “The introduction of 3-G technology will lead Pakistan into a new era of Information Technology (IT),” he noted.

He said that the economy was growing at a fast pace, the stock exchange had seen a rise while the rupee gained value against the dollar.

The prime minister said that Pakistan had embarked upon an aggressive privatisation policy. “The government should not only run businesses but also facilitate businesses and for this purpose, we have to raise the trust of investors,” he opined.

The delegation appreciated the government’s policy of privatisation and said that the policy would provide an impetus to the economy.

The members of the delegation were of the view that introduction of the 3-G Technology in Pakistan would provide necessary momentum to the growing economy.

PM Nawaz said that the 3-G licence would be open for all the national and international competitors and it would be awarded in a transparent manner.

“We expect that the international bidders will also compete for the 3-G licence,” the premier hoped. Nawaz Sharif said that IT sector was observing fusion of different sectors, including telecom and banking sectors, and the investors needed to take its advantage. “It will create job opportunities for the youth,” he said.

The prime minister said that the Pakistani youth were energetic and if provided opportunity and space, they could excel in the IT sector through their creativity and innovation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Pakistan Railways (PR) at the PM House. He was apprised of the functioning of PR, its history, present status and future direction.

He was told that the present PR administration was focusing on the core business of transportation of goods and people.

PM Nawaz commended the ministry’s focus on improving governance based on rules and regulation, merit-oriented human resource policy and transparency.

He directed that all railway stations should be modernised with better services for citizens. He was briefed that the target of Rs4.5 billion of additional revenue had been achieved this year and, with better management, there had been a reduction of Rs5 billion in railway losses.

It was decided to reconstitute the Railways’ Board with better representation from the private sector. The premier was told that work on the Karachi Circular Railway would be initiated soon.

The meeting was further informed that work had started on refurbishing and branding of railway stations and the PR expected to generate substantial revenue from this activity.

He was told that Request for Proposals regarding the feasibility study of Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad Railway Link would be floated in the second week of April this year.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Chief Minister of Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and senior government officers.