Islamabad (October 16, 2018): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the government has decided to carry out the audit of the power plants established by the previous government in order to fix responsibility of wrongdoings in them.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad today, he said that the National Accountability Bureau has already initiated the investigation in the LNG power plants established in Punjab province.
Click Play Button To Watch This Video
The Information Minister noted that the power plants established by the PML (N) government are generating electricity at high cost.
He said the current average per unit power cost is 15.53 rupees and the consumers are being provided electricity at the rate of 11.71 rupees. This, he said, is causing a loss of 2.63 rupees per unit to the national exchequer.
Further elaborating the losses, the Minister said that a deficit of 1.2 billion is being incurred on daily basis in the power sector in the winter season while in the summer season, the deficit soars to 1.80 billion rupees.
As a result of these losses, circular debt is ballooning by thirty-four to thirty-six billion rupees every month.
He said the NEPRA has recommended an increase in power tariff. The matter will be taken in the next meeting of the economic coordination committee.
Fawad Chaudhary said that the corrupt elements will be brought to justice and a new Pakistan will emerge as a result of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He said a framework has also been prepared to check money laundering.
Earlier on October 13, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that the government will welcome investment of European countries in projects related to CPEC.
He was speaking at a reception hosted by Spanish Embassy in Islamabad to celebrate National Day of Spain.
The Information Minister invited people from all friendly countries for a visit to Pakistan for business and tourism. He said Spanish companies are welcome to invest in energy, infrastructure and tourism projects in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan looks forward to deepen its partnership with Spain for the achievement of its objectives of peace, prosperity and development.
The Spanish ambassador said his country wants to boost relations with Pakistan in the fields of trade and investment.
Meanwhile, talking to Ambassador of France Marc Barety in Islamabad, the Information Minister emphasized the need for extending ties between the two countries from trade and economic domain to cooperation in the field of culture, film, and education.
The minister sought French scholarships for Pakistani students especially in the realm of mass media.
He said the government has envisaged to establish a media university by merging Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan academies to impart training and skills to media persons and engineers in both creative expressions and technical aspects.
The French ambassador informed the Minister that his government is working to relax its travel advisory allowing its nationals to visit Pakistan in wake of the improved security situation.
Related News:
