GUJRANWALA: Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir has announced that load-shedding will continue during Eid al-Adha holidays, however, the duration of power cuts may be decreased. He was giving a press conference in Gujranwala on Sunday.

The federal minister blamed previous government for the current power crisis in the country, saying they delayed the purchases of the fuel. He added that the coal price was increased as compared to the previous year.

He detailed that 720 megawatts power plant has been made operational from June 29. The issue of power outages will be addressed next summer after the operationalization of the new mega project.

Also read: 14 hours power cuts in some areas as short-fall reaches 7,787 MW

“A comprehensive policy is being devised for solar panels. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will announce the solar project in the coming day,’ said the minister.

He announced that all government buildings will be gradually shifted to solar power. He said that those who consumed less than 300 units were given electricity at lower rates. Dastgir said that the government was also trying to shift domestic consumers to solar power.

He blamed the former premier Imran Khan for creating hurdles in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The government was bound to complete the 1,200-megawatt Trimmu Jhang power project in 2020 but a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) case was lodged.

The record demand for electricity up to 30,000 MW was witnessed on July 30, whereas, the domestic consumers of the electricity suffered power-related problems due to the provision of electricity to the industries.

The federal minister said that the Tarbela power plant will start generating 3,400 megawatts of electricity on July 7 which will gradually reduce the issue of load-shedding.