(NATIONAL): (Circular debt reduced by Rs214b by making payments to power plants over last 3 months: Senate told).

ISLAMABAD -- The Senate was informed on Friday that circular debt has been reduced by 214 billion rupees by making payments to the power plants over the last three months.

Minister for Power Khurram Dastagir assured the house during question hour that the circular debt will be further reduced which was standing at the historic level of 2467 billion rupees on 31st March this year. He said steps are being taken to improve recoveries and reduction of transmission and distribution losses of DISCOs. To a supplementary question, Khurram Dastagir said one thousand megawatts of electricity is being provided to the K-electric on daily basis in order to lessen the difficulties of the people of Karachi.

He said we are in negotiations with K-electric to reach a new agreement with it. He was confident that the matters will be settled with the K-electric in a few weeks. Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan said about twenty percent work on Mohmand Agency has been completed. He said ninety percent land for the dam has been acquired as per the law and expressed the confidence that it will be completed within the stipulated period by 2026.

Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik said instructions have been issued to the authorities concerned to reduce gas losses. He pointed out that...