MULTAN - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif lashed out at President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday, saying he and his comrades did not let the country take the benefit of enormous coal reservoirs.

“The country can save billions of dollars currently being spent on oil import by generating at least 2,500 megawatt electricity from the bagasse of sugar mills,” he maintained while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Multan Industrial Estate Phase-11. He regretted that Pakistan lost international markets and orders because of power crisis but Zardari did nothing except hiding in a bunker-like house.
He pointed out that out of Rs500 billion circular debt of electricity, at least Rs200 billion was of power theft. “Who prevented Zardari, Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf from catching power pilferers?” he posed a question. He said that the thief and watchman had joined hands and thus the country headed towards destruction.
He claimed that the PML-N would eliminate loadshedding and bring the country out of darkness under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif. Strongly criticizing the government on making what he described as intentional delays in launching of gas pipeline project with Iran, he said that the rulers remembered the project after spoiling almost five years. “While on the other hand, Iranian brothers have brought pipeline to our borders,” he added.
He said that the recovery ratio of power distribution companies in Punjab stood at 98 per cent while the same in Sindh was just 50 to 55 per cent with over 33 per cent line losses. He asked the nation to give a chance to Mian Nawaz Sharif, claiming that the PML-N would bring agricultural and industrial revolutions in the country. He said that the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister had assured his full cooperation for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. “But they will cooperate with us when we reciprocate in the same manner and refrain from demanding kickbacks,” he added. He warned that no one even our brothers would come to Pakistan if we failed to shun the practice of seeking commission on projects.
He claimed that the provincial government offered all facilities at Industrial Estates for the promotion of industry in the province. He added that the Punjab Government adopted tough measures for the eradication of qabza groups from the province.
He declared that the PML-N would grant tickets to only those, who served the public. “All those parliamentarians and government officials, who serve the masses, rank in A category and we respect them,” he said.

Referring to the development projects of Multan, he said that Rs50 billion was spent on development of this town but the people pointed fingers instead of praising the federal government. “You can judge the quality of work and transparency of projects from this element,” he added.
Earlier, the president of Industrial Estate Board of Management Anees A Sheikh demanded installation of 50 megawatt power plant, new sewerage line and water filtration plants in the estate.
Chairman Punjab Industrial Estates SM Tanveer told the participants of the ceremony that Rs600 million was spent on development of Phase-1 and Rs1.50 billion Phase-11 of Multan Industrial Estate. He revealed that the feasibility to set up 12 new Industrial Estates in the province was made.