Day: July 7, 2022

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that a national solar energy policy will be announced on the first of next month to address energy related issues.

Chairing a meeting Energy Task Force in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that the enforcement of this policy will be linked to the approval by Council of Common Interest.

Shehbaz Sharif said that PM House and Office will be converted to solar energy on emergency basis in one month.

The Prime Minister said providing cheap and environmentally friendly electricity is the top priority of the government. He said it is our effort to Pakistan self-sufficient in energy sector.

Highlighting benefits of solar energy, he said it is a source of producing clean and environmentally friendly electricity. He said the use of solar energy will help to solve problems like distribution losses, power theft and circular debt.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the steps being taken for the promotion of solar energy in the country. The meeting was informed that a proposal to convert fuel-powered powerhouses to solar energy is under consideration.

The meeting was further informed that a proposal for generation of solar energy on 2000 feeders of 11KV is also under consideration.

The meeting was apprised that up to 1000 MW solar power plants will be installed on government buildings in the next 10 years on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer basis.

The meeting was further informed that solarization of tube-wells will also be done in the country. In this regard, a project is under consideration to switch tubewells in Balochistan to solar energy.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives has directed Board of Investment and Chairman Special Technology Zone Authority to remove all bottlenecks to bring foreign direct investment in the country.

The Minister made these directions while chairing a meeting to develop synergy between BOI and STAZ to attract more investors in the country.

He said that SEZs and STZAs are attractive propositions for Foreign Direct Investments.

The Minister further said that technology and innovation is the future and we must attract foreign investors by removing all bottlenecks.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that in 2017 Google and Hawaii agreed to make huge investments in Pakistan but unfortunately, due to lack of authorities like SIZEs and STZA tape they could not set up their Zones and as a result Pakistan lost the foreign investment. He said we have to create an enabling environment to attract foreign investors at a time when the country is facing sever economic crisis.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman STZA Amer Hashmi, Additional Secretary BOI Khashih Ur Rehman and Executive Director, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Qammar Abbasi.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan and the United States have reiterated the commitment to further deepen their bilateral ties.

The resolve was expressed during telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The two sides reaffirmed mutual cooperation in the fields of energy, health, security and economic development marking 75 years of their bilateral relationship.

They also discussed the need for continuous engagement with Taliban regime to deal with humanitarian crisis.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said we look forward to frequent exchange of high-level visits.

He discussed easing the issuance of visas for Pakistani nationals.

Appreciating the ongoing visit of US special Representative Dilawar Syed, the Foreign Minister stressed on solidifying Pak-US trade and commercial ties.

Source: Radio Pakistan