ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and
Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday that around 10,000 MW
electricity would be added to the national grid by the year 2018.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with USAID
under USAID technical assistance for planning Commission in energy
sector here, he said, the country was able to produce upto 16,000 MW
in its 70 years while it was set to produce an additional 10,000 MW
in next three years.
He said, the objective of this MoU was to set up an integrated
energy management center to optimize demand and supply of the
electricity in the country.
The Minister pointed out that no attention was paid to
optimize use of energy in the past and as a result one sector of the
industry had to shut down to provide energy to other sector.
Commenting of presidential election in the US, he said,
Pakistan was ready to work with the new administration after the
polls.
“It makes no difference if any party comes into power as there
would be no change in the foreign policy of the US,” he added.
The Minister said, the US have to play a positive role for
maintaining peace in the region and Pakistan was ready to play its
part to strengthen world’s efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Secretary Planning Commission, Naseem Khokhar and
USAID’s Pakistan Mission Director, John Groarke signed the MoU.