The state of Punjab – the industrial, agricultural and therefore the political nucleus of the country has always found itself at the better end of the bargain, so it seems; with most of the political initiatives having sprung forth from within the province itself – just like its river streams and also, those having actually seen the light of day, due to the sheer persistence and dedication of its administration – special mention of the Sharif brothers and their mechanization of public transport with the Metro bus at this point. Under the ‘new’ political powers, the gears have shifted to working on the Achilles’ heel of not only the province, but also the country itself – energy, of course!
Loss in production, loss in sales and consequently a loss in the billions of revenue that could have been generated from a loss in the production processes, resultant from the loss in the time passed by without electricity, therefore compromising on the quality of life, which makes it difficult to keep up with the rest of the world.
This paralyses the country especially in an increasingly competitive and globalized world, says Wasif Ahmed of Hostings House – 3rd on the AllWorld 100 Pakistan listing of 2013. As shared in an interview recently with team IDG in Pakistan, Wasif divulged on the opportunities and strategies of entrepreneurship in the country – the primary challenge, he cited was to be the energy crisis, for which reason a solar energy alternative he had kept functional as one of his backup energy lines should the primary one fail. There are many other individuals who think like Wasif, struggling to make the international agendas home. Shahbaz Sharif’s approach with tackling the bull directly by the horns, makes for good news for all stakeholders combined.
The plans in the pipeline, as unveiled by Sharif of late, include the following:
- 3 MoUs signed with Helmet Fugemann for the generation of a 100 Mega Watt solar power plant.
- Quaid-e Azam solar park in Bahawalpur project in the pipeline.
- Generation of power from bio gas and biomass, the idea which was borrowed from East Punjab. A sit-down with a delegation from India led by Pawind Parweet Badal, Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Agriculture and other concerned officers was conducted on 26Th December 2013.
- Establishment of Punjab Revenue Authority to collect taxes.
- Open invitation to private investors in the build-up for more privatized energy sector.
Knowing the Sharif brothers fully well, the promise for a “Phoolta Roshin Punjab,’ if it so exists in the pipeline, will inadvertently reach completion soon. And if it so does, the race for other provinces to follow suit would only become the norm or so we hope.
