Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that the government is committed to bolster the energy sector and the Port Qasim Electric Power Company (PQEPC) has key role in meeting Pakistan's energy demands. This was stated by him while speaking during a meeting with a delegation from PQEPC led by Mr. Yang Tianyu, President of Power China Resources which called on Thursday. Minister for Energy (Power Division), Mr. Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Secretary of Power Division, and senior officials from the Finance Division also attended the meeting. Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts between Pakistani and Chinese companies in advancing sustainable and efficient energy solutions. The meeting focused on various matters related to the power sector including the payments to the energy producers and possible ways to resolve the issues hindering timely payments.

Matters related to the technical and financial feasibility of converting these projects to run on domestic coal, thereby reducing reliance on imported fuel were also discussed. The Chinese side was informed that the government was taking a number of steps to facilitate this transition including the launch of a railway line to ensure smooth and effective transformation of local coal. The Finance Minister also briefed the delegation on the structural reforms being undertaken by the government, particularly in the energy sector, and the ongoing privatization of power supply companies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). He assured the delegation of the government's steadfast commitment to providing all necessary support and taking swift action to overcome any challenges impeding the operation of these power plants. President PQEPC Mr. Yang Tianyu appreciated the efforts of government in implementing energy sector reforms and thanked the government for its continued support in reviving the operations of the Port Qasim coal projects.

The Finance Minister reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to honoring all obligations, particularly in government-to-government projects, and maintaining the sanctity of contracts in both letter and spirit. He expressed confidence that, through mutual understanding and cooperation, both sides could develop sustainable solutions to the core issues facing the power sector, ensuring its long-term viability. The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a working group comprising members from PQEPC, the Power Division, and the Finance Division. This group will monitor progress on a day-to-day basis to ensure timely and effective implementation of the agreed-upon initiatives.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan