Pakistan's Energy & Water - News and Updates

[SHAMK9]

500 villages to be illuminated with solar energy
ISLAMABAD - More than 500 villages will be given electricity via solar energy, Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) Director General Khalid Islam said on Friday.
Khalid Islam announced this at a briefing marking the inauguration a drive to encourage the production of high quality solar panels at the PCRET.
Science and Technology Minister Mir Changez Khan Jamali, the chief guest at the ceremony, said social and political struggle for economic development would not be possible without the active support and cooperation of research and development organisations.
“The incumbent government is fully aware of the need to develop infrastructure for the science and technology department in order to encourage research and development institutions,” he said.
Science and Technology Additional Secretary Najeeb Khawar Awan said the PCRET had already initiated important programmes regarding the development of renewable energy technologies, including solar energy, wind mills and bio gas.
“The basic objective of this project is the upgrading of silicon crystal growing, the enhancement of the indigenous production of solar cells and modules up to 80kW per anum and the promotion of clean and renewable solar energy through the photovoltaic process,” he said.
Photovoltaic (PV) is a clean and environment-friendly technology that converts the sun energy directly into electric power.
The PCRET DG said during last five years, the PV sector had seen a growth rate of about 50 percent per year.
'Around 500 villages to be illuminated with solar energy' Pakistan Business

 

[SHAMK9]

Work on 1,400MW Tarbela 4 to start early next year’
Ministry of Water and Power (MoWP) Secretary Nargis Sethi along with senior officials of the ministry on Thursday visited Tarbela Dam and Power Generation Units to assess the hydel generation situation and take stock of the preparation made for the Tarbela 4 Power Generation unit of 1,400 megawatts (MW).

The secretary directed all the officials concerned, both at the ministry and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and project management of Tarbela 4, to take extra measures and utilise their energies to start work on the project early next year. “After the successful operation of energy conservation drive and power distribution management phases, time has come when medium and long-term measures are taken to increase the affordable hydel generation capacity of the country,” Sethi said while talking to the officials at the project site.

She emphasised the authorities concerned with hydel generation to start survey of other hydel projects and identify additional power generation prospects.

This, she said would add more megawatts power to the national grid at affordable cost.

The secretary also directed the Tarbela general manager to complete maintenance of the generation units during the low water season to increase their generation efficiency for the coming months.

She also urged them to focus on using modern techniques of regulating the water releases to produce maximum power with less water wastage. During the visit, Sethi was also briefed on the status of educational institutions under the supervision of WAPDA.

She directed improvement in their physical structure and academic standards. She also directed to focus on the girls education in the area. The secretary was apprised about the current water flow, storage and power generation at the site. She was apprised that the generation capacity has been maintained at a reasonable level to provide valuable power to the national grid.

Regarding the starting of work on Tarbela 4 project of 1400 MW, the meeting was apprised that it would be started by early next year as all formalities for its financing are at final stage.

It is financed by the World Bank and it would be built by employing the state of the art excavators and other high tech machinery. There will be no additional displacement due to the project as it would be built at a site, which is redundant since more than two decades. It would also offer large number of employment opportunities to the people of the surrounding areas. The secretary also visited the Tarbela Barrage Site and took briefing on the modus operandi of the system. She appreciated the work force working day and night serving the nation and urged them to increase the level of coordination to enhance the efficiency of the system.

 

[A.Rafay]

Pakistan: PEC takes steps for solar power generation

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 23 -- An on-grid solar power generation system of 178 KW, installed at Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has set precedence as a role model for defining procedures and strategy at the national level for on-grid solar power generation.
This project is first of its kind in the country, as the excess electricity will be delivered to the national grid under Feed-In-Tariff regime. PEC spokesperson, Mahmood Rehmani told that the project will prove an effective measure to overcome the energy shortage, emphasising on solar power,for which there is big scope with relatively less investment. "We took many initiatives in terms of energy efficiency within PEC". Energy audit of the main building of PEC was conducted and retrofitting was undertaken by replacing heavy lighting fixtureers, using maximum day light by putting clear glass partitions and windows, Mahmood Rehmani said. Last year, PEC undertook lighting transformation. LEDs and energy efficient lights were installed to achieve lighting efficiency. The lighting load was reduced from 46KW to only 5 KW through this initiative which saved electricity enough to light 50 houses. The government under PMISP has extended a grant of Rs 75 million to PEC. Under the project, PEC is installing 500 watt to 5 Kilowatt stand alone solar power systems at various engineering universities, commercial areas and religious places. The aim of the project is to spread awareness and popularise renewable sources of energy in Pakistan.

Pakistan: PEC takes steps for solar power generation - Power Engineering

 

[Gentelman]

ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: The Council of
Common Interests (CCI) approved on
Wednesday a new 600MW power
project at Jamshoro. The plant will use
a mix of imported and Thar coal and
will be set up with a $900 million loan
from the Asian Development Bank.
A meeting of the CCI presided over by
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf
constituted an inter-provincial committee
to investigate provincial governments’
complaints of over-billing by power
companies and clear undisputed
electricity arrears.
It approved regularisation of services of
105,000 lady health workers.
Federal ministers for communications,
science and technology, inter-provincial
coordination and railways, chief ministers
of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa,
Governor of Balochistan and Punjab law
minister, who represented the chief
minister, and provincial chief secretaries
attended the meeting.
An official said because of reservations of
the ADB, the CCI decided to start the
600MW power plant with 80 per cent
imported coal and 20 per cent Thar coal
and gradually increase the content of Thar
coal when it was able to enhance
supplies.
The ADB, which is providing $900 million
for increasing coal based-power
generation, had expressed reservations
on a government decision to utilise its
loan for development of Thar coal and
subsequent power generation. The bank
observed that setting up the Jamshoro
plant based on domestic coal was
economically not viable as it had
approved the financing of power plants to
be run on imported coal.
It was, therefore, decided to start the
project with larger imported coal content
and gradually increase supplies from Thar.
Water and Power Secretary Nargis Sethi
and chief of Genco Holding Company
Naveed Ismail were not available for
comment.
The meeting was informed that while
ADB’s assistance would help utilise Thar
coal at Jamshoro plant the Japan
International Cooperation Agency had
also expressed interest in construction of
the power plant and laying power
transmission lines from Thar to Matiari.
The prime minister took notice of slow
progress on an earlier direction of the CCI
to the water and power ministry to ask
generation companies to enter into an
agreement with the Thar Coal Energy
Board and directed that the arrangement
should be finalised within seven
days.
Prime Minister Ashraf also directed the
ministry of finance to immediately
process the Sindh government’s request
to provide sovereign guarantees to a
Chinese firm interested in mining Thar
coal and setting up a power plant. The
finance ministry told the meeting that the
issue of sovereign guarantee would be
taken up for approval at the next meeting
of the Economic Coordination Committee
of the cabinet.
The meeting was informed that
outstanding electricity bills stood in access
of Rs426 billion, including Rs93 billion
against provincial governments. The
provincial governments complained about
over-billing.
The CCI constituted a committee
comprising Minister for Religious Affairs
Syed Khurshid Shah and Finance Minister
Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and chief
ministers of the provinces concerned to
reconcile figures, resolve disputes over
over-billing and put in place a timeline for
clearance of arrears. The provinces were
asked to clear the undisputed amounts to
improve cash flows in the power sector.
The prime minister said the issues of
receivables was important because the
federal government had injected Rs186
billion into the power sector this year and
unless the provinces and consumers paid
the bills it would be difficult to maintain
power supply.
The meeting regularised services of
105,000 lady health workers. It was
decided that the federal government
would bear the financial cost – salaries
and other expenses – till 2015 after which
they would be taken care of by the
provinces.
The CCI directed the provinces to take
steps for timely payment of dues to
sugarcane growers.
The prime minister informed the meeting
that the decision to impose governor’s
rule in Balochistan had been taken after
consultations with all stakeholders and it
was based on consensus. “In view of the
deteriorating security situation, Article
234 of the Constitution was invoked and
governor’s rule was imposed in
Balochistan,” he said.

 

[AhmadBilal]

What is main role of WAPDA in Pakistan.

 

[Edevelop]

Nandipur power project: Pakistan to finance plant through local banks

ISLAMABAD:
The government has decided to borrow Rs23 billion from domestic banks to finance the construction of the 425-megawatt Nandipur power project – a step taken after a consortium of foreign banks led by the Chinese backed out of its financing commitment.
According to a senior government official, the government will take Rs23 billion in loans from banks against sovereign guarantees compared to the total financing requirement of Rs57 billion.
In March 2009, the consortium, comprising BNP Paribas and Export-Import Bank of China, had signed a Buyer Credit Facility Agreement worth $150.151 million with Northern Power Generation Company Limited for the combined cycle power project at Nandipur, near Gujranwala.
“The Ministry of Water and Power will seek the approval of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in its upcoming meeting for issuing government guarantees to the banks,” the official said.
Arrangements have also been finalised with the Chinese contractor to push ahead with the project. The main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor is a leading Chinese company, Dongfang Electric Corporation, with a sub-contractor GE France.
The ECC, in a meeting held in the first week of July 2012, had already approved an increase in sovereign guarantees from Rs5.3 billion to Rs19.1 billion in favour of local banks as a stopgap arrangement until foreign loans came.
The ECC has also waived demurrage and detention charges totalling Rs856.5 million on the machinery, imported for the project and stuck at the Karachi Port.
Earlier, the Chinese contractor had served a notice on the government, asking it to scrap the contract for the project because of delay in work. During negotiations, the Chinese company sought compensation for the losses it suffered during the two years when the machinery remained stuck at the port.
The machinery worth $85 million has been awaiting clearance for quite a long time. “Now, the issue with the Chinese contractor has been settled and it has agreed to carry out physical work if funds are released,” an official said.
The Supreme Court had also taken notice of the delay in executing the Nandipur project. A judicial commission, constituted by the Supreme Court, held the law ministry responsible for deferring work for long.
The Ministry of Water and Power had sought legal opinion on foreign guarantees from the Ministry of Law in the contract with the Chinese firm, but the summary remained pending with the law ministry for two years from March 2010 to March 2012. According to the original plan, the project had to be completed in April 2011.

Nandipur power project: Pakistan to finance plant through local banks – The Express Tribune

 

[Cyberian]

121 MW Allai Khwar project put on mechanical run
Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) completed the 121 megawatts (MW) Allai Khwar Hydropower Project on Monday and put it on mechanical run, however, it will start electricity generation on trial basis by the end of this month.

The commercial generation is expected to start during first week of March. Allai Khwar Hydropower Project has been constructed on Allai Khwar, a tributary of Indus River in district Battagram of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Main components of the project include 88-metre long and 51-metre high concrete dam, 2.3-kilometre long steel-lined tunnel, power house comprising two generating units of 61.5 MW each, at record design head of 687 metres and a switchyard. Environment-friendly Allai Khwar Hydropower Project generates 560 million units of low-cost hydel electricity per annum, resulting in saving millions of dollars on the corresponding generation of costly thermal energy. Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at about Rs 4.5 billion.

Allai Khwar is the second of the three high-head hydropower projects, which has gone operational. The other two include the 72 MW Khan Khwar and the 130 MW Duber Khwar Hydropower projects. The Khan Khwar Hydropower Project has already been completed in November 2010 while the third Duber Khwar Hydropower Project is nearing completion.

Allai Khwar Hydropower Project is a part of least-cost energy generation plan of WAPDA being executed on priority to cope with the increasing needs of electricity and water in the country. Under the plan, WAPDA is working on 26 large and medium-sized projects with cumulative electricity generation capacity of 21,000 MW and water storage capacity of 13 million acre feet (MAF). Of these projects, six multipurpose schemes with power generation capacity of over 400 MW and water storage capacity of 1.23 MAF will be completed in next two to three months.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Cyberian]

Coal-based power plant : Burj Power, Harbin Electric ink accord for 500MW plant
Saturday, February 23, 2013

KARACHI: Taking an initiative for low cost power generation, Burj Power Corp (Burj) is developing the first phase of a 500 (4x125) megawatts (MW) power plant at Port Qasim Karachi.

Burj Power is a UAE based power project development and advisory firm developing projects in key markets of Middle East, Asia and Africa. It is also developing three wind power projects in Pakistan. The Company is a part of the Burj Capital Group, which is also involved in investment banking, retail, agriculture, and oil and gas sectors.

The agreement included the formal engagement of Harbin Electric International Co Ltd (Harbin) by Burj as the technical partner in the development of the project. Harbin is one of the biggest power engineering, manufacturing and construction groups in China and has a proven track record of EPC and related supplies/manufacturing for thermal and renewable power plants internationally.

Harbin has an established base of over 30,000 MW of thermal power plants and was also the EPC contractor of recently completed Bin Qasim CCPP that was producing 560 MW for Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC).

The Port Qasim Authority has reserved the land for the project near its upcoming coal and clinker terminal. This project will not only bring employment in the area but will also provide long-term business to the coal terminal. The first phase of 125 MW is being discussed with KESC, which will likely purchase electricity from the power plant. This will help Karachi in reducing the cost of power as well as its shortage in the city. The project will utilise latest pollution control technology to minimise emissions. The project was welcomed by all who were present as a significant step for bringing foreign investment into Pakistan in a sector that would help this country achieve its real potential.

Shahzad Qasim CEO of Burj Power said, “Using coal as a fuel for power generation is essential to bring down the cost of electricity in the country. Burj Power hopes to make a contribution in this effort.”

Saad Zaman Chairman of Burj Capital said, “We are pleased to be one of the early movers in promoting a coal fired power project in Pakistan. Bringing down energy cost is a key issue and we do need to focus on diversifying our energy fuel mix and on moving away from fuel oil dependency”

Ge Xin CMO of Harbin said, “Harbin is pleased to have signed the document to become a member of the team being led by Burj Power to develop this important power project for Pakistan.” staff report

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\02\23\story_23-2-2013_pg5_6

 

[Cyberian]

KESC to invest $500m in coal plants
Thursday February 21, 2013

Workers walk on a heap of coal at a stockyard of an underground coal mine. — Reuters Photo

ISLAMABAD: KESC would invest about $500 million for setting up of coal-based power plants, improvement in transmission and distribution systems in Karachi during the next five years, said Tabish Gohar, chairman, KESC board of directors here on Thursday.

A five-member KESC delegation briefed the Minister for Water and Power, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, on plans to improve power supply situation in Karachi.

Mr Gohar said that the Bin Qasim power plant would be converted on imported and local coal to generate 400MW cheaper electricity with an investment of $300 million.

The conversion plan would take almost 20 months to complete.

The KESC would spend $80 million on conversion of gas-based plants on combined cycle, while $80 million would be spent on smart grid station that would help improvement and transmission system.

The KESC chairman said that due to investment plan, the power system in Karachi would improve, and power thefts and line losses would be checked.

He also briefed the minister on outsourcing of some of its feeders and future plans to meet the electricity requirements.

KESC to invest $500m in coal plants | Pakistan | DAWN.COM

 

[Cyberian]

Early completion of 1,000MW wind power projects urged
Wednesday, February 27, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Ahmed Mukhtar has directed to expedite completion of 1,000 megawatts (MW) wind power generation projects so that cheaper electricity could be added in the national grid at the earliest.

Presiding over 26th Board meeting of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) he said electricity generation from indigenous resources was priority of the government and various steps have been taken to attract investment in this sector.

Upfront tariff has already been given to the wind power projects and same is being announced for solar projects.

The Board took up various points of agenda and approved grid code for wind power projects. As per new grid code the share of wind power generation has been increased from 5 percent to 20 percent in the national grid energy mix.

The meeting was informed one more wind project of 50 MW has been completed and on test run to be inaugurated next month. Three projects of 150 MW are under construction while 12 projects of 1100 MW would achieve financial close by 2013-14. The meeting approved merger of three wind power projects of 30 MW.

The meeting appreciated all the officials of the AEDB who performed their role in the completion of wind power projects. The meeting appreciated the performance of AEDB for expediting the wind and solar power projects. staff report

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\02\27\story_27-2-2013_pg5_2

 

[Cyberian]

NESPAK wins $500m Afghan dam project
Thursday, February 28, 2013

LAHORE: NESPAK a state organisation of consulting engineers has achieved a breakthrough by securing a dam project in Afghanistan.

According to a press release on Wednesday, NESPAK is the first Pakistani firm, which would design the dam on the Farah River in Bakhshabad. The representatives of the Ministry of Water and Energy government of Afghanistan and NESPAK signed the contract agreement of the project.

The $500 million Bakhshabad (Farah Rud) Dam Project consists of a dam, a powerhouse, appurtenant structures, a barrage 60 kilometers downstream of the Dam, left and right main irrigation canals and irrigation command area. NESPAK will provide services for detailed design, tender drawings and preparation of bidding documents.

The Ministry of Water and Energy Afghanistan has termed the project as the first of its kind by a Pakistani company in Afghanistan. The dam will be financed by the Afghan government funds, once completed the project is expected to meet all the irrigation and energy needs of Farah province.

The Dam’s storage capacity will be more than one billion cubic meters. At the same time, it can irrigate more than 68,000 acres of agricultural land and produce about 27 megawatts of electricity, which can meet the electricity needs of Farah province, said Muhammad Ismail Khan Minister of Energy and Water Afghanistan.

It is a great honour for Pakistan NESPAK has won this mega project through an international open competition, which shows Company’s recognition as a world-class consultant, not only in Pakistan but abroad as well.

About 545 large, medium and small dams will be built or refurbished across Afghanistan. About 111 of these dams are a priority for the Ministry. staff report

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Cyberian]

Koreans offered to invest in power sector
Friday, March 01, 2013

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Ahmed Mukhtar has offered Korean investors to invest in the hydro power, coal and wind power projects as government would cooperate and facilitate them in all respect.

During a meeting with investor’s delegation of Republic of South Korea during he appreciated the Koreans for showing their interest to invest in the power sector. He said Pakistan had great potential of 60,000 megawatts (MW) in the hydropower generation. The private investors have been invited to invest in the identified hydel projects. Pakistan was now focusing on indigenous resources to generate cheap electricity. The work on number of hydel power and water storage projects was in progress. The Korean was offered to invest in 590 MW Mahal Hydropower, through ICB and also invest in 840 MW Suki Kinari hydropower, 640 MW Azad Pattan, 1500 MW Chakoti Hattian hydropower and other projects as equity and EPC contractor.

The Minister said there was no law and order problem for investors and assured to give complete security. He said the government would support the Korean investors and welcome their investment in the water and power sector projects.

Korean companies were already working in different water and power sector projects and more investors were keen to invest here in Pakistan. Koreans have expressed their keen interest to invest in hydropower and water sector projects in Pakistan and mutual cooperation in various other projects, the delegation observed.

He said hydel power projects of 9053 MW would be completed by 2020. He said the incentive based policy is profitable for investors. The Korean business delegations include representatives of KEC, Dosan, Sanbu Construction, Samsung C&T and KEPCO.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Cyberian]

German solar company investing in Pakistan
Saturday, March 02, 2013

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Represent-atives of a German solar company DEQ-SYS GmbH, a subsidiary of Energiequelle GmbH, which is based in the state of Brandenburg visited Lahore and Islamabad from February 23 to March 1, 2013.

The Company designs, plans and installs turnkey wind turbines, biogas systems, solar power plants and substations for grid feeding eco-friendly power.

Meeting with stakeholders of the Punjab government and signing an accord over 400 megawatts solar energy, the delegation visited the Embassy and exchanged views with PPIB (Public Power and Infrastructure Board), Germany’s Development Agency GIZ and KfW Development Bank as well as with other German companies being active in the renewable energy sector.

http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013\03\02\story_2-3-2013_pg5_6

 

[Cyberian]

Hungary, Pak enjoying good ties: Istvan
Monday, 04 March 2013

SIALKOT: Hungarian Ambassador to Pakistan Istvan Szabo said on Monday that Hungary and Pakistan were enjoying good biletral ties.

Addressing the members of Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here, he revealed that we had invested $ 1.4 billion in Pakistan's energy sector while the volume of trade was $ 56 million dollars.

The Ambassador said that we were making efforts for sharing information regarding trade and commerce between all trade bodies including chambers for enhancing bilateral trade volume between the two countries, adding that Pakistan was important for Hungary.

Speaking on the occasion, President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Sheikh Abdul Majid said there was wide scope for economic cooperation between the two countries in various areas including energy, sports goods, textile, surgical instruments, adding that Pakistan was good investment destination which should be availed by the Hungarian investors.

Hungary, Pak enjoying good ties: Istvan

 

[Cyberian]

Gas pipeline from Iran not a threat to any country: Zardari
Monday March 4, 2013

Highlighting Pakistan’s growing energy needs and defending its right to explore low-cost solutions on immediate basis, President Asif Ali Zardari has told the world that the gas pipeline agreement with Iran is not against any other country.

While inaugurating three different energy projects from the Governor’s House on Monday, Zardari said the energy projects, as well as the gas pipeline with Iran, should be seen as measures to overcome the power shortfall prevailing in the country.

The three projects inaugurated on Monday include the Prem Nagar Dry Port project of Pakistan Railways, the Allai Khwar hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Jinnah hydropower project in Punjab.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Punjab Governor Ahmad Mahmood, Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, members of parliament and Punjab Assembly, chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), members of the civil society and high-ranking officials.

GAS PIPELINE:

Presidential Spokesman Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Zardari, while highlighting the country’s growing energy needs for accelerating national growth, said that Pakistan needed to exploit all available resources particularly the low-cost hydropower projects, in addition to exploring the ways and means to import power and energy from its neighbouring countries. The president said that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project was one such endeavour, which would be formally launched on March 11.

The president said that Pakistan was a sovereign country and had every right to pursue projects in national interest, adding that it did not intend to offend anyone. He said that Pakistan was an active player in contributing to world peace and stability. He said that the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline should be viewed purely in the context of meeting national energy needs. He hoped that the critics of the project would consider Pakistan’s energy needs.

HYDROPOWER PROJECTS:

The president said that with the addition of the Allai Khwar hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Jinnah hydropower project in Punjab, the energy shortfall would be mitigated to some extent.

He said the government had drawn up plans to not only meet the current electricity needs, but to cater for future needs as well, and was working on over two dozen hydropower projects across the country in this regard.

These include mega projects like Bhasha Dam, Neelum-Jhelum, Dasu and Tarbela 4th Extension Project, he said, adding that Gomal Zam Dam, Satpara Dam, Dubair Khwar and Jabban hydropower projects were nearing completion. Zardari said that after completion, these projects would provide 21,000 megawatts of additional electricity, and would store 13 million acre feet of water. “This will bring down the cost of manufacturing and make Pakistani products more competitive in the global market,” he said.

DRY PORT:

Inaugurating the dry port, Zardari said that it was a bold initiative of Pakistan Railways to enter vigorously into public-private partnership. The setting up of dry ports and provision of dedicated rolling stock to the private sector to operate freight trains is a bold initiative, he said.

He complimented the Railways for starting public-private partnership in vital areas including operating passenger trains and providing track access to the private sector for freight operations. He said that the addition of a dry port equipped with state-of-the-art facilities at Prem Nagar would almost double the existing capacity from four to seven million tonnes per annum. He advised the Railways management to plough the profit back into the project to further improve and expand its existing operations to meet growing demands for new tracks and extending platforms and loading areas.

He said that the private sector, by its efficient and cost-effective operations, innovative techniques and best management practices, was fully capable of producing quality goods and services, which are also cost effective. He said that the private sector was considered an engine of growth the world over, whereas the public sector plays the role of facilitator and regulator.

He said that in Pakistan too, efforts were being made to delegate the public sector the role of facilitator and regulator, which should venture only in areas dominated by concerns for public service instead of making big profits.

The president commended DP World, Premier Mercantile Services, and Pakistan Railways for entering into partnership. He said that the Prem Nagar dry port should be developed as a model hub for more such ports for inland container traffic throughout the country to reduce congestion within and near cities.

He also congratulated Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Bilour and Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar and their teams, and praised the work and dedication of Chinese and Austrian project consultants and contractors, who he said rendered valuable assistance in the completion of these projects and hoped that the remaining projects would also be completed expeditiously.

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