SIALKOT: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday said the government is taking concrete steps to overcome energy and gas crisis.She stated this in a meeting with delegation comprising members from Chamber of Commerce, Dry Port Association and Surgical Association of Sialkot who called on Information Minister and Governor Punjab Sardar Muhammad Latif Khosa today.The delegation was led by Chairman Chamber of Commerce Naeem Anwaar Qureshi and Chairman Dry Port Association Saddique Ishaq Butt.She announced that one more gas pipeline is being laid down from Wazirabad to Sialkot to resolve the problem of gas shortage in the city.

“We are focusing to generate electricity from hydel power which is cheaper and also directed provinces to initiate small projects to overcome the energy crisis”, she said.
Around 2000 megawatt electricity would be produced through the factories’ wastes which would also help resolve the issue.
Keeping in view the energy crisis, she informed that an energy conference would be arranged in Lahore soon.
Governor Punjab informed the delegation that the upcoming budget would be people and business friendly.
The suggestions would be sought from Chamber of Commerce, Dry Port Association and Surgical Association in this regard which would be incorporated while planning the budget.
Latif Khosa said the country cannot progress until the government extend the tax net.
The government is taking concrete steps to overcome prevailing energy crisis in the country.
The delegation said 251 million dollars export is being made from Sialkot annually while the local industry is providing job opportunities to 0.4 million people.