Islamabad, 05 August 2011: Taking serious note of the continuing power shortage in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari today directed the three key ministers dealing with the subject to sort out administrative, financial and technical issues among themselves and submit a report to him early next week on ‘alternate viable options’.

 

Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar said that the Presidency today specially called Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Water & Power, and Dr. Asim Hussain, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources to the Presidency for a presentation on problems and issues in the power sector.

 

The chronic energy shortage has become a critical issue,  the President said and added that a political Government which is accountable to the people can not ignore the lingering crisis.

 

The meeting was informed that during the three year period, March 2008 to July 2011, 3400 MW of power had been added to the national grid but there was still a gap of almost 4500 MW between supply and demand during peak summers.

 

The President, during the meeting, also called for stepped up measures to address the problem of power shortage in Karachi.