Efforts afoot for energy security plan: Farooq Naek

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek on Monday said energy is the lifeline of economic development and the government is making all possible efforts to have integrated energy security plan in the country.Speaking at an inaugural session of four days international conference on Conservation, Energy efficiency and Solar jointly organized by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Women in Energy organization and USAID here, he said the deficit of energy is not a bolt from the blue but a simmering sore since the last decade.The planner could not be oblivious that there is a massive influx of electric gadgets and the demand of electricity is increasing by 8-1- per cent annually, he added.The industrial and agricultural advancements need steady and cheap electric supply.Farooq Naek said extra ordinary increase in furnace oil and an abject disregard for increasing power potential of the country in the past decade has led to huge power deficit.Overcoming energy crisis is not easy task but the government has assigned it a high priority and took effective measures with the help of experts and engineer in this regard.The chairman said PEC was also established  in 1976 under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto.He said PEC being a representative body of engineering is marking a vital contribution in propelling the economy of the country.
The professional inputs and advices rendered by PEC to the government has been of tremendous benefit, he added.He said the conference would certainly provide the opportunity for collective efforts in achieving energy conservation and energy efficiency.
Farooq Naek stressed the PEC and Women in Energy to suggest conservation and energy efficiency measures for parliament building to reduce energy consumption and also save public money for better use.Earlier in her welcome address, Chairperson PEC  Rukhsana Zuberi said Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto delayed announcement of party manifesto in last elections because she wanted to give due importance to energy. She gave 5 E’s (Education, Employment, Empowerment, Environment and Energy) formula to steer the country on road of progress and development – App