Terming Kashmir as a complicated and long standing issue, he said the process of track-II diplomacy was continuing and whenever there was a development, the nation would definitely be taken into confidence.
Shaukat Aziz averring further on the issue said Pakistan supports process of demilitarisation and self-government in Kashmir.
Talking of parliamentary committee on earthquake, the Prime Minister said that terms of reference for the committee was being prepared.
While dwelling his thoughts on energy situation in the country, he said the government had made a comprehensive plan, adding hydel, thermal, solar, nuclear and other sources of energy would be tapped in that regard. He pointed a number of projects were in pipeline in this connection.
Shaukat emphasised on building of new dams as vital for the country on the occasion.
The Prime Minister talking about growth of economy in the country said at the time of take over of country by President in 1999, our economy was in shambles. With positive approach and structural reforms and other steps last year their GDP growth rate stood at 8.4 per cent that was second highest in Asia in the year. He said now they had set their GDP growth target at six to eight per cent per annum. He said in order to achieve those targets, energy was direly required and in that connection country was in talks with Iran, Qatar and Turkmenistan for supply of energy.
Prime Minister giving his views on affect of tremor on the economy said affect was there but the economy that was now on right direction and on a healthy course had absorbed that affect.
On promotion of power generation, the PM emphasised on positive relations between Wapda, IPPs, Nepra, and Ministry of Water & Power on the occasion.
Aziz, terming the groundbreaking of the project as historic, said it was the first major project after earthquake. Averring on mode of improving investment friendly atmosphere in the country, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in order to do so service culture would have to be improved.
He said transparency and continuation of policies, liberalisation and privatisation were the hallmark of their policies that had proved worthwhile in improving state of economy here, he added. About the project, the PM said it would be instrumental in supply of cheap electricity to the city of Lahore whose commercial needs were fast growing, he added.
Federal Minister for Water & Power Liaquat Jatoi speaking on the occasion disclosed the project of that sort would be established at Dharki. The Minister asked private parties to come forward in building up power projects for promoting cause of energy in the country.
Orient Power Company, involved in the current project received first letter of interest (LoI) under 2002 Power Policy to put up an approximately 450 MW power plant in two phases at Balloki - District Kasur Punjab was currently involved in first phase of 225 MW Balloki Combined Cycle Power Plant. The Phase one of the project was expected to cost approximately dollars 175 million. The project would be capitalised with 75 per cent debt and 25 per cent equity. The Balloki Project is designed as Combined Cycle Gas Fired Project. Oman Oil Company is in the process of joining Orient as 49 per cent shareholder. The plant is scheduled to be completed in two-year period and would be operational by 2007.
Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) and Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi were present on the occasion.