Lahore: As the 969 megawatt Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project is quickly heading towards its completion, the Pakistan Industrial & Traders Associations Front (PIAF) chairman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh expressed the hope that the government’s commitment of ending loadshedding in 2018 will certainly be fulfilled.
The completion of Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project will not only provide cheaper electricity but also help bridge demand and supply gap of electricity, leading to end of loadhsedding.
In a joint statement, along with senior vice chairman Tanveer Ahmed Sufi and vice chairman Shahzeb Akram, Irfan Sheikh appreciated the decision of WAPDA to also start construction of Diamer Bashma and Mohmand dam in 2018.
He said the electricity price in Pakistan is on the higher side which is the main cause of price-hike in Pakistan. He said provision of cheap electricity will reduce industrial production cost that can provide relief to the public which is possible only if power is produced through hydel means.
“It is appreciable that Phase-I of Kachhi Canal, a much needed project for development of irrigated agriculture in Dera Bugti Balochistan, has recently been completed. In addition, three hydropower projects including Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, Tarbela 4th Extension and Golen Gol, with total generation capacity of 2487 MW, are being completed in 2018.” Chairman quoted.