Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah proposed offering subsidized electricity to factories operating additional shifts to combat rising costs that have forced many industries to scale back production.

He noted that while federal government produces around 40,000 MW of electricity-well above 30,000 MW demand-high tariffs are burdening factories and commercial businesses, leading to reduced output and job losses.

He explained that subsidized power could encourage factories to run extra shifts, thereby boosting production and creating more employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers. This would also help utilise surplus electricity, easing federal government's financial strain from paying Independent Power Producers for unused power. Additionally, increased production could strengthen exports and boost foreign exchange earnings.

Murad shared these insights during meeting with 17-member delegation from Lahore Press Club, led by its president Arshad Ansari. senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh and Secretary Information Nadeem Memon were also in attendance.  CM Murad said that agreements with IPPS were made for 20 to 25 years which also needed to be dealt with professionally and carefully. To question, he said that project launched by Dr Samar Mubarak Mand in Thar was federal government's initiative, but it could not take off. "Now, provincial government is using its resources to protect assets abandoned by project there," he said. 

He predicted that Thar would emerge as bigger city in country than Karachi in next 40 units because it would be hub of cheap production of electricity. Replying to question, je said that his government established Transmission and Dispatch Company in 2014 to dispatch 100 MW of electricity from Nooriabad to Karachi.

"Now, we have established Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority to decide tariff of power projects we would install in province to promote establishment of small industrial units in far-flung areas of province. He lauded small industries model of Punjab and said small industrial states they have established in every big and small city have generated local economic activities.

In response to question, he stated that Sindh has fertile land and natural waterways. Sukkur Barrage was planned in 1968 and subsequently built, along with other barrages, which led to creation of canal system by blocking natural waterways. This, in turn, caused hill torrents to flood populated areas when they couldn't flow naturally into rivers. Construction of Left Bank Outfall Drain also blocked natural waterways, resulting in 17 breaches during recent floods.

He said that on instruction of PPP Chief Bilawal Bhutto, government was constructing 2.1 million houses for people who lost their homes in floods of 2022. He said that his government has given Rs 50 billion for 2.1 million houses and federal government of Shahbaz Sharif has also vowed to match amount [Rs50 bn] and this year they have allocated Rs 20 billion.

He emphasised his opposition to adopting medical insurance, citing concerns that insurance companies and private hospitals would take away large portion of funds as profit. Instead, he aims to channel these funds into strengthening Sindh government hospitals to provide free, high-quality treatment to people.

Lahore Press Club delegation commended Sindh government's development efforts in Thar, specifically acknowledging advancements in Thar coal power production, coal mining, RO plants, Mithi Hospital and various health facilities such as JPMC, NICVD, NICH, Gambat and Chest pain units.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 22 2024

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