Business News

energy had generally been neglected in the past, but the present
government had completely reversed that trend and today most of the
development budget was allocated for roads and communication
infrastructure, and energy.
He said infrastructure had been allocated 67% of the total
development outlay. The highest priority had been accorded to
transport and communication sector with an allocation of Rs 411
billion, including Rs 320 billion for national highways, Rs 43
billion for railways and Rs 44 billion for other projects,
including aviation schemes, he added.
The minister said the housing and population census was
currently underway after 19 years. Since youth under the age of
20 would continue to be the largest portion of the population,
therefore, the development plan was focused on development in
human and social capital, education, health, empowerment of
women, poverty alleviation, job creation and addressing
inequality, he added.
Ishaq Dar said being an energy deficient country, Pakistan
was unable to actualise its economic potential. By 2018, 10,000
MW of additional electricity, he said, would become part of the
national grid, he said.
He said in addition, financial close have taken place for
15,000 MW of electricity generation projects beyond 2018. In that
regard, the government, he said, was proposing Rs 401 billion
for power sector development, including investment of Rs 317
billion to be undertaken by WAPDA for the next year.
He said a new programme called `Energy for All’ was being
introduced with an initial outlay of Rs 12.5 billion.
He said Rs 76.5 billion had been allocated for the two LNG
based power plants in Balloki and Haveli Bahadurshah. Both the
projects would be completed during the year, and generate 2,400
MW electricity.
Similarly, Rs 54 billion and Rs 21 billion had been allocated
for Dasu Hydro Power project Phase-1 and Diamer Bhasha Dam – Lot 1
respectively, which would generate 4,500 MW electricity, he said.
He said for Neelum Jehlum Hydro Power Project, Rs 19.6 billion
had been earmarked, which would generate 969 MW electricity.
Dar said Rs 16.4 billion had been allocated for completing
fourth extension of Tarbela Hydel Power, which would generate 1,410
MW electricity while Rs 16.2 billion earmarked for installation
of 1,200 MW coal fired power plant in Jamshoro.
He said in addition, work on two Karachi nuclear power
projects with combined capability of 2,200 MW and Chashma Civil
Nuclear Power Plant with 600 MW capacity would continue.
In the past, he said, no significant investments had
been made in the areas of transmission and distribution, but now
emergent measures were being taken to rectify the situation.
Matiari-Lahore transmission line was being built, he added.