NANDIPUR:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has come down hard on certain opposition
parties for making attempts to sabotage his government’s ‘progressive’
agenda.
After inaugurating the 95-MW thermal power plant at Nandipur on Saturday, the prime minister took his detractors on, saying that the protest-mongers were working on an agenda to destroy the country.
“Why are these parties protesting at this point in time when the government has launched a solid progressive agenda for the betterment of the country? I fail to understand their objectives,” he added.
Nawaz was concerned about what he believed was a futile exercise being conducted from Canada, London and back home. “For God’s sake let this country progress. Haven’t you done enough damage to Pakistan in the last 67 years?
“Are these protests against the government’s programmes for bringing prosperity in the country? We are working hard to come up to the trust of the people, who have given us the mandate, and are endeavouring hard to put Pakistan on the right track,” he added.
Instead of lending a helping hand to the government at this crucial juncture, the opposition had preferred banking on the politics of agitation. They should see how sincerely the present government is working day in and day out for the betterment of the country, he said.
“They should not create hurdles in our progressive agenda. The initiative that the government has taken in Karachi is an attempt to bring about peace in the economic hub of Pakistan.
“It’s a move to end the reign of terror, where kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion is rampant. This operation has been launched to end all these evils, and the move has already started paying dividends,” the prime minister added.
Nawaz said the federal government had launched development projects in the provinces where the PML-N was not in power. “Let the opposition raise a hue and cry but it will not deter my resolve to fulfil the government’s objective of bringing prosperity to every nook and cranny of the country - from Khyber to Karachi and from Khunjerab to Gwadar,” Nawaz added.
The premier specifically recounted his government’s initiatives in the power, agriculture, communications, industrial and general welfare sectors. He said the government had launched numerous projects for reaping long-term benefits in all areas. Some of them have already been launched or are being initiated, including the Kashghar-Khunjerab Pass-Islamabad Highway, Lahore-Karachi Motorway (Rs55 billion already allocated), construction of a state-of-the-art airport and seaport at Gwadar, laying of rail-track from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad, initiating the Diamer-Bhasha (for which the government has launched a land purchase drive and allocated Rs40 billion) and Dasu dams (with the capacity to generate 4,500-MW each), completing the Neelam-Jhelum project, launching of coal and thermal power-plant projects at various sites all over Pakistan, introducing the Youth Employment Scheme etc. Nawaz also mounted a challenge to the opposition to identify just one area where his government had faltered so far.
“The government has made headway in putting a lid on corruption, and is trying to strengthen the democratic institutions.
“We have fulfilled the promise of introducing the concept of good governance. My aim is to bring about prosperity in all parts of the country, even those areas where the PML-N had not got the mandate during last year’s general elections or where it was not in power.
“What is bothering the opposition? The people of Pakistan need to know the reason for their agitatation,” he said.
About the government’s priority area, the power sector, the prime minister said the total power-production capacity of the country stood at 23,000-MW. However, he added, in view of the shutting down of several power plants, that figure had gone down considerably. He said the government managed to push up the production to 16,000-MW last year during the summer with ample water availability. This time round, he hoped, it could be further enhanced. He vowed to equip the country with more power plants in the next six to eight years, adding another 21,000-MW to the system.
“China has been of great help in this regard. The Chinese leadership has been very supportive in resolving the power crisis in Pakistan. China has helped us set up these plants in Karachi, Gadani, Sahiwal, Faisalabad and also helped us in hydel power generation,” Nawaz added. He thanked China for its massive support for bailing Pakistan out of the situation.
Nawaz further said the government had already worked on plans for bringing a marked change in all sectors. He said the government would come to the rescue of agriculturists by furnishing fresh incentives apart from the relief they would get in the form of ample water resources once the two big dams became operational. He said the government had also focused on the industrial sector, healthcare facilities and the education sector. All these projects, he believed, would change the fate of the nation.
The prime minister announced the Tamgha-e-Jurrat (medal for valour) for the director project, Nandipur Power Plant, Captain Mehmood. He thanked the entire team involved in establishing the plant in just seven months despite hindrances like wear and tear of the machinery because of the three-year delay in the project as the previous the PPP government had held the machinery back at the port all this time for political reasons. He announced three-months bonus for all workers and senior staff at the project on behalf of the federal government in addition to the already announced similar reward by the Punjab government. Nawaz also appreciated Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s untiring efforts in controlling the damage done because of the delay. He lauded the Punjab government’s security arrangements, besides its initiatives for the provision of other facilities to the staff, especially the Chinese workforce engaged there.
In his address, Shahbaz Sharif termed the generation of electricity in a record period of seven months from the first turbine of the Nandipur Power Plant a success story of commitment and determination.
He disclosed that the project could have been completed three years ago if the previous government had not created hurdles for the previous Punjab government. The country would not have faced an economic loss of Rs165 billion and an additional amount of Rs30 billion would not have to have been spent for reviving the dead project.
While strongly criticising, what he termed the criminal negligence on the part of former rulers vis-a-vis the Nandipur Power Project, he said it was just one of many tragic incidents of the past. He said the machinery of the plant was kept rusting at Karachi Port.
Shahbaz said he was not levelling allegations against anyone; however, it was the nation’s right to know the facts about the loot and plunder with regard to this project. “Like this project, which has been completed in a record time period under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the other energy projects will be completed as soon as possible,” the Punjab chief minister added.
He said the Chinese company Dongfong restarted the work on the project in view of the faith it had in the present government. He said the Chinese company had promised to make the first turbine functional by November 2014, but when the project commenced after a lapse of three years, the Chinese officials were surprised to see the pace of work. It was the hard work put in collectively which ensured the completion of the project before the stipulated time period. He further said Pakistani and Chinese experts worked on this project round-the-clock with determination.
Shahbaz was hopeful that under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the country would come out of its existing problems. He further said the projects like the Nandipur Power Plant were a ray of hope in the prevailing circumstances.
He also expressed the hope that all energy generating projects would be completed speedily in the valleys of Mehran, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the country would be transformed in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal in the real sense, where everyone would have an opportunity to excel and enjoy equal rights.
He said we would all work as members of the PM’s team for making Pakistan a great country.
The chief minister thanked the Chinese president, premier, people and officials of the Dongfong Electric Company, saying the Chinese government and leadership were fully supporting Pakistan. He also thanked Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah, Col Shuja Khanzada, chief secretary and IG Punjab, commissioner Gujranwala, DCO, RPO, CCPO as well as engineers and workers of the Dongfong Company, Pakistani engineers, workers and Project Director Nandipur Captain Mahmood for their cooperation and hard work. He also recommended to the prime minister to award the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to Captain Mahmood for his contribution in establishing the plant in such a short time period.
Various members of the Nandipur Power Plant, including the Chinese officials, were awarded certificates for their achievements in making the project a great success. The project has the aggregate capacity of generating 425-MW power, and it would reach its peak by the end of the current year.
Online adds: PM Nawaz Sharif said the upcoming budget would contain several relief measures for farmers and the business community.
After inaugurating the 95-MW thermal power plant at Nandipur on Saturday, the prime minister took his detractors on, saying that the protest-mongers were working on an agenda to destroy the country.
“Why are these parties protesting at this point in time when the government has launched a solid progressive agenda for the betterment of the country? I fail to understand their objectives,” he added.
Nawaz was concerned about what he believed was a futile exercise being conducted from Canada, London and back home. “For God’s sake let this country progress. Haven’t you done enough damage to Pakistan in the last 67 years?
“Are these protests against the government’s programmes for bringing prosperity in the country? We are working hard to come up to the trust of the people, who have given us the mandate, and are endeavouring hard to put Pakistan on the right track,” he added.
Instead of lending a helping hand to the government at this crucial juncture, the opposition had preferred banking on the politics of agitation. They should see how sincerely the present government is working day in and day out for the betterment of the country, he said.
“They should not create hurdles in our progressive agenda. The initiative that the government has taken in Karachi is an attempt to bring about peace in the economic hub of Pakistan.
“It’s a move to end the reign of terror, where kidnapping-for-ransom and extortion is rampant. This operation has been launched to end all these evils, and the move has already started paying dividends,” the prime minister added.
Nawaz said the federal government had launched development projects in the provinces where the PML-N was not in power. “Let the opposition raise a hue and cry but it will not deter my resolve to fulfil the government’s objective of bringing prosperity to every nook and cranny of the country - from Khyber to Karachi and from Khunjerab to Gwadar,” Nawaz added.
The premier specifically recounted his government’s initiatives in the power, agriculture, communications, industrial and general welfare sectors. He said the government had launched numerous projects for reaping long-term benefits in all areas. Some of them have already been launched or are being initiated, including the Kashghar-Khunjerab Pass-Islamabad Highway, Lahore-Karachi Motorway (Rs55 billion already allocated), construction of a state-of-the-art airport and seaport at Gwadar, laying of rail-track from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad, initiating the Diamer-Bhasha (for which the government has launched a land purchase drive and allocated Rs40 billion) and Dasu dams (with the capacity to generate 4,500-MW each), completing the Neelam-Jhelum project, launching of coal and thermal power-plant projects at various sites all over Pakistan, introducing the Youth Employment Scheme etc. Nawaz also mounted a challenge to the opposition to identify just one area where his government had faltered so far.
“The government has made headway in putting a lid on corruption, and is trying to strengthen the democratic institutions.
“We have fulfilled the promise of introducing the concept of good governance. My aim is to bring about prosperity in all parts of the country, even those areas where the PML-N had not got the mandate during last year’s general elections or where it was not in power.
“What is bothering the opposition? The people of Pakistan need to know the reason for their agitatation,” he said.
About the government’s priority area, the power sector, the prime minister said the total power-production capacity of the country stood at 23,000-MW. However, he added, in view of the shutting down of several power plants, that figure had gone down considerably. He said the government managed to push up the production to 16,000-MW last year during the summer with ample water availability. This time round, he hoped, it could be further enhanced. He vowed to equip the country with more power plants in the next six to eight years, adding another 21,000-MW to the system.
“China has been of great help in this regard. The Chinese leadership has been very supportive in resolving the power crisis in Pakistan. China has helped us set up these plants in Karachi, Gadani, Sahiwal, Faisalabad and also helped us in hydel power generation,” Nawaz added. He thanked China for its massive support for bailing Pakistan out of the situation.
Nawaz further said the government had already worked on plans for bringing a marked change in all sectors. He said the government would come to the rescue of agriculturists by furnishing fresh incentives apart from the relief they would get in the form of ample water resources once the two big dams became operational. He said the government had also focused on the industrial sector, healthcare facilities and the education sector. All these projects, he believed, would change the fate of the nation.
The prime minister announced the Tamgha-e-Jurrat (medal for valour) for the director project, Nandipur Power Plant, Captain Mehmood. He thanked the entire team involved in establishing the plant in just seven months despite hindrances like wear and tear of the machinery because of the three-year delay in the project as the previous the PPP government had held the machinery back at the port all this time for political reasons. He announced three-months bonus for all workers and senior staff at the project on behalf of the federal government in addition to the already announced similar reward by the Punjab government. Nawaz also appreciated Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s untiring efforts in controlling the damage done because of the delay. He lauded the Punjab government’s security arrangements, besides its initiatives for the provision of other facilities to the staff, especially the Chinese workforce engaged there.
In his address, Shahbaz Sharif termed the generation of electricity in a record period of seven months from the first turbine of the Nandipur Power Plant a success story of commitment and determination.
He disclosed that the project could have been completed three years ago if the previous government had not created hurdles for the previous Punjab government. The country would not have faced an economic loss of Rs165 billion and an additional amount of Rs30 billion would not have to have been spent for reviving the dead project.
While strongly criticising, what he termed the criminal negligence on the part of former rulers vis-a-vis the Nandipur Power Project, he said it was just one of many tragic incidents of the past. He said the machinery of the plant was kept rusting at Karachi Port.
Shahbaz said he was not levelling allegations against anyone; however, it was the nation’s right to know the facts about the loot and plunder with regard to this project. “Like this project, which has been completed in a record time period under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the other energy projects will be completed as soon as possible,” the Punjab chief minister added.
He said the Chinese company Dongfong restarted the work on the project in view of the faith it had in the present government. He said the Chinese company had promised to make the first turbine functional by November 2014, but when the project commenced after a lapse of three years, the Chinese officials were surprised to see the pace of work. It was the hard work put in collectively which ensured the completion of the project before the stipulated time period. He further said Pakistani and Chinese experts worked on this project round-the-clock with determination.
Shahbaz was hopeful that under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the country would come out of its existing problems. He further said the projects like the Nandipur Power Plant were a ray of hope in the prevailing circumstances.
He also expressed the hope that all energy generating projects would be completed speedily in the valleys of Mehran, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He said the country would be transformed in accordance with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal in the real sense, where everyone would have an opportunity to excel and enjoy equal rights.
He said we would all work as members of the PM’s team for making Pakistan a great country.
The chief minister thanked the Chinese president, premier, people and officials of the Dongfong Electric Company, saying the Chinese government and leadership were fully supporting Pakistan. He also thanked Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, provincial ministers Rana Sanaullah, Col Shuja Khanzada, chief secretary and IG Punjab, commissioner Gujranwala, DCO, RPO, CCPO as well as engineers and workers of the Dongfong Company, Pakistani engineers, workers and Project Director Nandipur Captain Mahmood for their cooperation and hard work. He also recommended to the prime minister to award the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz to Captain Mahmood for his contribution in establishing the plant in such a short time period.
Various members of the Nandipur Power Plant, including the Chinese officials, were awarded certificates for their achievements in making the project a great success. The project has the aggregate capacity of generating 425-MW power, and it would reach its peak by the end of the current year.
Online adds: PM Nawaz Sharif said the upcoming budget would contain several relief measures for farmers and the business community.
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