PM inaugurates 1180 MW Bhikki power plant

SHEIKHUPURA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated 1180 MW LNG-fueled Bhikki power plant in Sheikhupura. This project will immediately add 717 MW power to the national grid, ARY News reported.

Nawaz Sharif expressed amazement at the fast-paced completion of the project and said completion of this big a project in such a short span of time is a world record.

“Bhikki power plant has been completed at a minimum cost and saved Rs50 billion through transparency. This project will help reduce electricity shortfall,” he said while addressing an event after the inauguration of the plant, which has been completed in 18 months.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Governor Punjab Malik Muhammad Rafique Rajwana and Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif were also present on the occasion.

This plant will generate electricity at a rate of Rs7.37 per unit, which is the cheapest project to generate electricity through gas, the PM was apprised while he visited the plant.

The prime minister said the Rs77 bn plant has the ability to produce environment-friendly electricity without wasting gas. He said few other power projects were also under-construction.

Nawaz comes down hard on KP, Sindh govts

Nawaz lashed out at the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for bad governance and said it had been around 40 years since Lowari Tunnel, a 10.5 km long road tunnel connecting Dir and Chitral Valley, is under-construction, while it could have been completed within few years.

The premier admitted that power cuts had increased across the country. He said it was due to low level of water in dams and rivers.

He said those were giving call for protest against loadshedding who were themselves responsible for power shortfall. They were the same people who pushed the country into darkness, he added.

“If you did not end the politics of blame-game, then you will be finished,” he cautioned.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on April 16 p announced to hold sit-in protests on April 30 across Sindh against power cuts and shortage of water.

“Protest sit-ins will be staged on April 30 in every district of the Sindh against electricity loadshedding, while a protest will be carried out on May 13 at provincial level,” PPP senior leader Nisar Khuhro said.

Nawaz said those who regularly staged sit-ins and told lies, they lost elections.