Prince Alamgir, Bureau Chief, Dawn TV, Daily Dawn
Lahore: Provincial Minister for Energy Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that affordable, quality and uninterrupted electricity supply to the public is the main agenda of the Punjab government. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision is to provide modern, environment-friendly and reliable energy to every home and every institution. He said that complete transparency, merit and timely completion of energy projects will be ensured at all costs. He expressed these views while reviewing the annual development schemes 2025-26 in the Energy Department. In the meeting, Secretary Energy Dr. Farrukh Naveed, Additional Secretary Majid Iqbal and other officials gave a detailed briefing to the provincial minister regarding the progress, transparency and timely completion of ongoing and new projects in the energy sector across the province. He gave a detailed briefing on the projects including biogas plant Gujjar Colony, Chief Minister Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme, solarization of government institutions, solarization of district and session courts and high court benches, solarization of all colleges and higher secondary schools of Punjab, DHQ and THQ hospitals, remote monitoring system, feasibility study wind turbines, solarization of Electric Power Regulatory Authority Punjab, Governor House Punjab and other projects. The provincial minister was informed that several projects would be completed by June 2026. Under the Chief Minister Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme, 67,184 solar systems have been installed division-wise. Marala, Pakpattan and Mianwali projects have been completed, while the Dig Outfall project will be completed by December 2026. The briefing stated that the pre-qualification of the bio-fertilizer plant at Gujjar Colony has been completed, while 50 schools out of a total of 256 will be completed this year under the solarization of higher secondary schools. Regarding the Tube Wells Solarization Scheme, Okara, it was informed that the delivery of machinery for 12 out of 17 tube wells of 765 KV has been completed. Similarly, the contract for the upgradation of solar PV module testing lab on the Kala Shah Kaku campus has also been issued. Solarization of public buildings, including Central Jail Kot Lakhpat, Police Line Qila Gujjar Singh Lahore, Lahore College for Women University, University of Home Economics, Bureau of Statics, Higher Education Department and other buildings will also be completed by June 2026. A detailed briefing was also given in the meeting regarding green energy projects, the remote monitoring system and the establishment of the Electric Power Regulatory Authority, Punjab.
The provincial minister directed that modern technology equipment should be used in all projects. The backup system should be made best and effective so that there is no disruption in power supply. He stressed that the officers of the department should present better suggestions and actionable recommendations so that the effectiveness of the projects can be increased and the monitoring of all projects can be further strengthened through the remote monitoring system. The provincial minister stressed that efforts should be intensified to make Punjab self-sufficient in the energy sector by promoting green energy. The provincial minister expressed his determination that the Punjab Energy Department, in the spirit of public service, will complete all projects within the stipulated time and will continue to take practical steps to end the energy crisis. Managing Director Punjab Power Development Board Sania Owais, CEO PPDCL Adnan Mudassar and other concerned persons were also present on the occasion.
Leave a Reply