Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate on integrated energy planning in Pakistan.
Through the MOU signed today, the integrated energy planning process will help policymakers understand the impacts of different energy policy options and support effective short-term decisions that are consistent with long-term energy and economic objectives. Secretary Planning Commission Naseem Khokhar and USAID’s Pakistan Mission Director, John Groarke signed the MoU. Federal Minister for Planning , Development and Reform witnessed the ceremony .
Speaking at the ceremony Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Refom Ahsan Iqbal said that the country was able to produce up to 16,000 MW in its 70 years while this capacity has been increased to produce an additional 10,000 MW by 2018. He said that 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. He further added that it was the right time to do right estimation of our future energy needs.
Speaking at the ceremony, USAID Mission Director John Groarke said, “Through the improved planning process, governments and utilities will evaluate a range of feasible policy and resource options and assess them against a common set of planning objectives and criteria. The integrated energy planning process will help policymakers understand the impacts of different energy policy options.”
While talking to media after the event Ahsan Iqbal said that the issue of western route of China ?Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be resolved in the Parliamentary Committee instead of taking it to the courts or discussing in the media. He said decision of Khyber Pakthunkwa government to take the issue of CPEC to the court was unrealistic as it would create difficulties for the province. He said, foreign investment could not be attracted through courts rather such an action would have a negative impact in this regard. Ahsan Iqbal said he met with Speaker, KPK Assembly in which he informed him that reservations of KPK government over CPEC were not based on facts.
The Minister informed that reservations of KPK Chief Minister and other PTI leadership were removed at a high level meeting held at Planning Commission on May 11. The demands of KPK leadership had also been included in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), he added. Terming the revival of economy and prosperity of the country above politics, he informed, all the provinces were being given equal opportunities in the CPEC.
He maintained that several hydel power generation projects including Dasu dam, Diamir?Bhasha dam and Munda dam were initiated in KPK. He said Indus Highway and Lawari Tunnel were being completed in the province while 13 projects were approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in KPK.. About western route, he said, the Quetta?Gwadar section of the route had already been completed while D.I. Khan?Burhan section of the route would be completed before 2018 by the NLC. Ahsan Iqbal said through the CPEC the under?developed and backward areas would get even more benefit from the mega project. The national level project of CPEC should not be used for party politics, he added. He said, China was Pakistan’s time? tested friend and partner adding, we should not politicize the CPEC project. He expressed the confidence that all the differences over this issue would be resolved in a democratic way.
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