Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to take measures to fulfill the energy needs of the export industry on priority basis.

He gave these directions, while chairing a meeting on budgetary proposals for the energy sector in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister decided to make energy reforms part of the budget. He said that renewable energy projects should be started by reducing reliance on the expensive imported fuel in a gradual manner. He said effective measures should be proposed in the next budget in order to control line losses and electricity theft.

Shehbaz Sharif further advised to include wind and solar energy projects in the upcoming budget.

Emphasizing the importance of an efficient transmission system, he said power transmission projects should be completed at the earliest. He said transformer metering should be made part of the next budget for the elimination of line losses and the pilferage of electricity.

The Prime Minister further directed to expedite the ongoing solarization projects in the country.

He said early completion of hydel projects should be given priority.

The meeting was apprised that four phases of the bidding for solarization of government buildings have been completed, after which several buildings are being shifted on the solar energy.

A detail briefing was also given on the steps taken to provide uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to the export industry.

The Prime Minister directed to finalize these measures and include them to the next budget.

Source: Radio Pakistan