PM orders two-hour cap on load-shedding

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday took notice of increasing electricity load-shedding in various cities across the country and expressed displeasure over the situation, directing that no area should face load-shedding for more than two hours. The prime minister gave these directions while chairing an important review meeting on power load management in the country, a Prime Minister's Office news release said. The meeting was informed that due to the prevailing regional situation, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and transportation difficulties affecting the supply of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG), electricity generation had been reduced, resulting in a decrease in power output. Consequently, load management had to be carried out to maintain balance between demand and supply. The prime minister directed that keeping in view the regional situation and future requirements, immediate measures be taken to address the disruption in RLNG supply. He directed that all available resources be utilized effectively so that no area faces load-shedding for more than two hours. The prime minister also ordered the establishment of Consumer Grievance Redressal Committees at the level of power distribution companies (DISCOs) to address public complaints related to electricity supply and other issues across the country. He directed that the redressal committees should also include public representation, and that the grievance committees be made functional within one week. The meeting was informed that electricity consumers could lodge their complaints through helpline number 118, and that upon registering a complaint, the consumer is provided with a token number as well as the expected time for resolution of the complaint. The meeting was further informed that at present, except for six electricity consumers in Rajanpur district, no consumer across the country was facing disruption in power supply due to monsoon rains.   Agriculture Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that effective coordination and partnership between the federal and provincial governments was essential for increasing per-acre agricultural productivity, introducing innovation in agriculture, developing the livestock sector and promoting agricultural exports. Chairing a high-level meeting on promotion of agriculture sector and enhancement of agriculture exports, the prime minister directed that coordinated measures be taken to expand access for Pakistani agricultural products to international markets and explore new markets. He directed commercial officers posted at Pakistan's missions abroad to play an effective role in promoting agricultural exports. He also directed that an effective media campaign be launched to raise awareness among farmers about the mobile application available for monitoring crops. The prime minister said value addition in agricultural products was essential for increasing exports from the agriculture sector. He said that the agriculture sector played a key role in the growth and stability of Pakistan's economy. Proposals were presented at the meeting for the development of the agriculture sector and promotion of agricultural exports. The meeting was informed that Pakistan's agricultural exports stood at US$5.18 billion during the last financial year. Rice, fisheries, halal meat, potatoes, sesame, tobacco, mangoes and maize were among Pakistan's major agricultural exports. The meeting proposed the development of value chains to increase agricultural exports. China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Gulf countries were identified as important markets for Pakistan's agricultural exports, the briefing said adding that the National Agriculture and Food Security Council would be made functional. The chief ministers would represent their respective provinces in the National Agriculture and Food Security Council, the briefing said. The meeting was briefed on a proposal to establish a Digital Farmers' Diary-Agri Stack, under which farmers across the country and agricultural land records would be digitized. Under the Digital Farmers' Diary-Agri Stack, records related to soil and water testing would also be digitized. A Pakistan-Good Agriculture Practices (Pak-GAP) system would be developed to promote agricultural practices that produce better results, it was further proposed. Facilities related to agricultural financing would be provided to promote exporters in the agriculture sector.