Official sources told Business Recorder that the Prime Minister was happy with the progress achieved so far, and directed that there should be no let-up on conservation efforts. He further directed that efforts be redoubled to facilitate quick commissioning of power generation units.
After detailed discussion, the Prime Minister directed that all existing arrangements on timing of closure of shops, 5-day working week, etc, be maintained on uniform basis across the breadth and width of Pakistan until the next review. This directive, however, has not been implemented in letter and spirit, especially in the federal capital.
Other directives given by the Prime Minister were as follows: ( i) quick disposal of and settlement of unpaid power bills of the provinces; relevant Chief Ministers, Advisor for Finance and Minister for Water and Power along with the relevant MDs as supporting officers will hold a meeting as soon as possible.
The Prime Minister directed that this matter be settled before the next review meeting; (ii) cost benefit analysis of the diversion of gas from Fatima Fertiliser must be evaluated and presented at the next review meeting.
He also sought a report on the fertiliser situation to be presented in the next meeting; (iii) Advisor Finance must review the feasibility of opening single bank branches at ports and dry ports on Saturdays together with the essential offices of customs etc relating to import/export of goods; (iv) Ministry of Water and Power must present its short-term proposals for generation for the power sector for review in the next meeting and report at the next meeting; and (v) tariff issues of government of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa (KP) pending in the courts be settled in consultation with the KP government, Advisor Finance, and Pepco .
Sources said that most of the issues were still unsettled, but the concerned ministries were holding meetings with the stakeholders to resolve the issues amicably. However, the differences between Pepco and the provinces over billing would take more time as reconciliation of figures is required before a final decision can be taken.