Premier for ensuring minimum power load-shedding in summer
Orders immediate confiscation of vehicles with expired Carnet-de-Passage limit; No one will be allowed to commit robbery on right of farmers through Urea smuggling
ISLAMABAD (Online): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed to ensure minimum load-shedding of electricity during the summer season.
Chairing a meeting to review the situation of electricity load-shedding during summer, and the consumption and production of urea fertilizer, he said the pace of restoration of the Neelum Jhelum project should be increased.
The meeting was informed about the production of electricity and the expected demand during this summer. Furthermore, with regard to the revival of Neelum Jhelum power project, it was told that the project would be fully restored and start generating the cheap and clean electricity in July this year. The meeting was also informed in detail about the provision of gas to the urea industry, besides data of its production and consumption in the country.
The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to ensure timely production of the urea fertilizer and its supply to the farmers. He said the government was taking all possible steps to minimize per acre cost of the farmers.
He said during the last year, the government had given top priority to the agriculture development and prosperity of the farmers. “I will not let anybody to grasp the rights of the farmers through smuggling of urea fertilizer,” he added.
The prime minister also directed to keep an eye on the demand and supply of the fertilizer. Keeping in view the consumption and production of the fertilizer, he directed to present a comprehensive plan for buffer stock and the provision of gas to the industries. Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, federal ministers Tariq Bashir Cheema, Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood and Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister of State Dr Musaddiq Malik, PM’s Advisor Ahad Khan Cheema, special assistants to the PM Jehanzeb Khan and Tariq Bajwa, and other authorities concerned attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to immediately confiscate the luxury vehicles being used illegally in the country despite the expiry of the Carnet-de-Passage.
A Carnet-de-Passage is an international agreement between two countries that allows the temporary importation of a car without having to pay the custom duties.
The prime minister, who took notice of such vehicles and chaired a special meeting on the subject, questioned as why the relevant department failed to act against such vehicles well in time.
He also directed the formation of an inquiry committee to take strict action against the officials found involved in misuse of the scheme or those who showed negligence in this regard.
The prime minister asked the Federal Board of Revenue to compile the data on such vehicles which had completed their allowed limit under the scheme.
He was briefed on the method of entry and exit of such vehicles. During the meeting, the luxury vehicles were also pointed out which were still being used despite the expiry of the Carnet-de-Passage limit.
Federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Bajwa and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.