Bilawal seeks businessmen’s partnership to build an independent energy supply chain in Sindh

Having lost all hope in the federal government, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, has invited the business community to join the Sindh government in taking over distribution companies in Sindh, which are up for privatization.

“We already have sufficient generation and a massive green energy potential. By taking over the distribution companies, the Sindh government will have complete control over the province’s electricity generation, distribution, and collection.”

Speaking at a luncheon meeting with the business community of Karachi, he said the Sindh government was quite reputable as far as public-private partnerships are concerned.

“Projects initiated by the Sindh government in partnership with the private sector have now turned profitable.”

“We have no confidence in the federal government in supplying us with electricity, and I can’t solve this issue without the business community’s support.”

He also offered land as the government’s contribution for green energy projects (solar and wind), and also for electric vehicle charging stations under public-private partnership.

Bilawal said the Sindh government had several water desalination, agriculture, and smart irrigation projects and assured the government’s full support.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, said that with the assistance of the private sector, the government could solve the province’s energy issues.

“We have a lot of win-win projects in infrastructure, energy, water desalination, and the agriculture sector under public-private partnership. These are feasible projects and you will make money,” Shah assured.

Chairman of AKD Group, Aqeel Karim Dhedi, highlighted several issues facing the businesses in the city and urged the businessmen to come forward and play their role.

He urged Sindh’s political leadership to focus on public transport and advocated for cargo trains from the port city to the rest of the country.

Chairman Arif Habib Group, Arif Habib, also underlined the importance of public-private-partnership in the development of nations.

He called for increased penetration of electric vehicles and development of charging infrastructure in the province.

Arif Habib recommended a ‘no questions asked’ policy for investments up to PKR 50 million in the real sector. He said this would give a boost to property registrations.

Expressing pleasure over Sindh government’s electric bus service, Arif Habib also offered to donate a couple of electric buses.