LAHORE -  Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that sincere efforts are being made for resolving energy crisis. He said that besides traditional methods, government is also endeavouring for generating energy through non-traditional sources.
He expressed these views while presiding over a high-level meeting with regard to resolving energy crisis, here Wednesday. Provincial Minister for Energy Sher Ali Khan, Agriculture Minister Farrukh Javed, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chairman P&D, Secretaries of concerned departments, Vice Chairman Punjab Board of Investment and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
Shahbaz Sharif said that agriculture and industry had been ruined due to energy crisis which badly affected the economy. He said that the elements involved in electricity and gas theft are criminals and no leniency would be shown to them. The Chief Minister said that taskforce has detected gas and electricity theft worth crores of rupees so far which is commendable and it is also a message for these culprits. He said that indiscriminate crackdown would continue against the mafia involved in gas and electricity theft and strict action would be taken against the government officials involved in this heinous crime.
Shahbaz Sharif said that resolution of energy crisis is a national responsibility. He said that PML-N government is determined to resolve electricity crisis and we will rid the people of loadshedding soon. He said that all possible facilities would be provided to the foreign investors investing in energy projects. The Chief Minister said that investors from China and other countries are willing to make investment in energy projects throughout the country including Punjab. He directed that all record and information should be updated for the facility of foreign investors. Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that two options have been prepared for biogas whereas the process of mapping of biomass has also been completed. He said that 1000 megawatt electricity can be generated through biomass in Punjab. The Chief Minister directed that a model of thirty projects for generating ten megawatt each from biomass should be prepared and besides Cholistan, other places should also be identified for setting up solar energy projects in Punjab.