DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi has said that the province’s ongoing hydropower projects will prove to be a game changer for economic stability by producing affordable electricity, promoting industrial development and creating new employment opportunities.
Speaking during an emergency visit to ongoing energy projects in Swat, the minister said the provincial government was pursuing the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan by focusing on the development of natural resources and providing maximum relief to the people.
He said Swat, endowed with abundant hydropower resources, was witnessing rapid progress on several energy projects that would generate billions of rupees in annual revenue for the province.
Mr Abbasi said the Energy and Power Department was already one of the province’s largest revenue-generating institutions and that efforts were underway to increase its annual income to Rs50 billion.
He also called for greater provincial autonomy over natural resources, saying the province should have the primary right over its resources. He regretted that most of the province’s resources were being utilised by the federation, which, he said, was unfair to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The minister was accompanied by Energy Secretary Nisar Ahmed, Chief Executive Engineer Anwar ul Haq, senior departmental officials and project directors.
During the visit, he reviewed progress on the 36.6-megawatt Daral Khwar Hydropower Plant, the 84MW Gorkin Matiltan project, the 94MW Gabral Kalam project, mini and micro hydropower schemes, and the 40-kilometre 132/220kV transmission line along the Swat Corridor.
Secretary Energy Nisar Ahmed briefed the minister on progress at the powerhouse, spillway, sand trap, power channel, switchyard, weir intake and other project components.
Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Mr Abbasi directed the relevant authorities to complete all projects within the stipulated timelines so that the public could benefit from affordable electricity at the earliest and the projects could contribute to the province’s economic stability.
