PIAF stresses need for establishment of renewable projects.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF), while stressing the need for establishment of renewable projects in the country, has said that the hydle projects initially suffered because of the Covid-19 outbreak in China that affected mobilization and was followed by lockdowns in Pakistan and subsequent standard operating procedures for operations of transport and factories in the country.

PIAF senior vice chairman Nasir Hameed and vice chairman Javed Siddiqi called for early removal of the hindrances to avoid delay, as the execution of major hydel power projects might get delayed if impediments were not addressed immediately.

Nasir Hameed warned the government of the impediments including land acquisition, financial flows, Covid-19, and emerging security scenario, causing delays and cost escalations to the Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, affecting the timeliness set for completion of the projects.

He reiterated the demand of speedy completion of hydel projects as early as possible. He said that the resettlement issue was required to be resolved to the satisfaction of the people while the relocation of Karakoram Highway, a part of which was very critical for construction activities.

Moreover, the financial flows were also the issue that required to be focused on to ensure that recovery plans to compensate for the lost timelines.

Javed Siddiqi said that renewable energy sources including water, wind and solar were getting key focus on the global level as they were sustainable sources of energy at affordable cost. He said the installed capacity of solar and wind power across the world have witnessed over 5000 percent and over 650 percent increase respectively, but in Pakistan due attention has not been paid to this important source of energy as yet despite the fact that our economy has suffered huge losses due to energy shortage.

He...