Published: August 1, 2009
KARACHI: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said here Saturday that electricity problem in Karachi will be solved after revamping the old system by KESC management which is the basic root-cause of present day situatin.
He was addressing a press conference after a meeting with the KESC Management at KESC Head Office.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Ahsraf and CEO KESC Naveed Ismail were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, in a briefing the KESC Management apprised the Prime Minister about power supply situation, the problems being faced and their future planning viz-a-viz investment in the KESC.
The Prime Minister pointed out that he is the first head of an elected government who is visiting KESC after 13 years and this speaks about the importance he gives to Karachi and its problems.
He said that a fact finding Cabinet Ministers Committee on Energy Crisis is already working and visiting various provinces and has also held a meeting on the KESC issue in Karachi.
He observed that in order to solve the existing power supply problem, the KESC’s capacity has to be enhanced and its system revamped, which has grown obsolete.
The Prime Minister said that three Towns of Karachi have been identified as model for system revamping whereafter the Governor and Chief Minister would convince the people for extending their cooperation and ending up the kunda system.
He was of the view that KESC must have effective inquiry office from where the people could know as to why there is no electricity and when an accurate information will be communicated to them, they will have their trust in the utility.
Yusuf Raza Gilani informed that as a follow up to the Cabinet Ministers Committee meeting held in Karachi, the owners of the company have been invited for a meeting to be held in Islamabad on August 5 to get KESC’s financial information from them and their investment plan.
He said the Cabinet Ministers Committee is holding its meetings on daily basis and is meeting various stakeholders to resolve the issue of energy crisis.
He said for Karachi it has been directed to hold meetings with the Chamber, industrialists, Chief Minister, City Government and other stakeholders to find out a solution to the issue and in this regard all out efforts are being made.
“The present government is facing various problems including energy crisis and all these will stand solved through our hands”, he declared.
The Prime Minister said that energy crisis is a challenge today for the government and in case of Karachi, it would soon be resolved with an effective strategy.
He said water will emerge as another issue in future and to cope with it, new dams will have to be constructed. He said this would require planning 3-4 years ahead and this government has started work on it now.
“We don’t want to keep saying that these issues have been inherited by us and rather we accept all the challenges and accept our responsibility”.
The Prime Minister said that because of energy crisis, our industries are suffering and when this problem stands solved, new units would come up and employment opportunities will generate.
He pointed out that Karachi is the economic hub of the region and mini-Pakistan and his visit here is reflective of the importance he gives to this city.
“Whatever resources are required, we would utilise them here and mitigate the sufferings of the people of Karachi who faced problems because of energy crisis during recent rains”.
Replying a question, the Prime Minister reiterated that power issue in Karachi will be solved when KESC’s capacity will be enhanced and the system revamped.
He told a questioner that financial issues of KESC will be resolved during meeting with its owners.
He said the Government is working on various options including construction of dams to meet water shortage in future.
When asked whether construction of Kalabagh dam is on the card, the Prime Minister said only those dams would be constructed on which the Provinces will have consensus.
He told a questioner that PPP and MQM would continue to sit together as they are sitting together with him today.
To another question in regard to Supreme Court’s decision on Friday, he said it is essential that Constitution is fully respected. He said under the constitution, all institutions are performing their responsibilities.
Yousuf Raza Gilani told a questioner that IDPs from Swat and Malakand are returning to their homes with respect and as far as the question of Waziristan is concerned it is also part of the country.
He said people have come to know about those who wanted to destabilise Pakistan.
To another question, the Prime Minister said that Thar Coal is a major asset for Pakistan and specialy Sindh.
He said Thar Coal issue has been resolved and a Board formed with Chief Minister as its chairman and now work on this project should start.
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Indo-Pak 
