Arrears issue with Sindh near settlement, says Khawaja Asif

Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Muhammad Asif Tuesday said the government would settle arrears and all other issues with the Sindh government shortly. The complaints about loadshedding by the Sindh government would also be addressed, he told media persons after a meeting with Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah here. The Minister said electricity transmission system across the country needs up-gradation and it would be made on priority basis. Replying to a question regarding load shedding in the country, he said that the government was committed to overcome the energy crisis and efforts of the government in this regard are in progress to end the load shedding from all over the country as possible. On the occasion, Murad Ali Shah said the Sindh government has no such major differences on the issue of electricity with the Federal government and it would be resolved shortly. “We already have positive negotiations with the Federal government on issues and we are optimistic about settlement of arrears’ issue shortly,” he added. The Chief Minister said all the closed power plants in Sindh would be made operational shortly for reducing loadshedding in the province. Murad Ali Shah said that the Minister for Water and Power assured him for maximum cooperation from the Federal Government to minimise loadshedding in Sindh. Commenting on the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his satisfaction over the meeting and said, “The meeting with the Minister for Water and Power held in a good atmosphere and remained fruitful.”