LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here Wednesday announced a three to five-year mega coal-based power project in the province to generate 6000 megawatt electricity with a direct investment of up to $ 10 billion.

He was briefing newsmen on Punjab government initiatives for coal-based power plants, while Punjab Ministers- Rana Sanaullah Khan, Chaudhary Muhammad Shafique, Malik Nadeem Kamran and Sher Ali Khan and officials concerned also accompanied him.

Under this mega project by Punjab government, the Chief Minister also announced to set up two plants of 660 megawatt each at the earliest to get better results, adding that Punjab government had selected six sites- Qadirabad district Sahiwal, Bhikhi district Sheikhupura, Haveli Bahadur Shah district Jhang, Balloki district Kasur, Taranda Sawaywala Rahim Yar Khan and Mouza Karam Dad Qureshi district Muzaffargarh for launching coal power projects.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the government would take concrete and result-oriented steps for ensuring participation of private sector in generating electricity and encouraging it for this purpose.

Pakistan was facing major problems of electricity crisis and extremism, he said, citing that electricity and gas were of vital importance for a strong economy and when economy would flourish, the trends of extremism would reduce, while, agriculture and industry would progress and create new jobs.

(APP)