I am pleased to learn that the monthly "Energy Update" is celebrating the 2nd anniversary of its publication on May 20, 2008.

I understand that the magazine is objective in reporting, open to suggestions and pragmatic in advice to the government, while adhering to healthy norms of journalism. It is encouraging that the "Energy Update" is projecting all aspects of energy sector and highlighting its true potentials in Pakistan as well as abroad.

The country is presently in the grip of a serious power crisis with power shortages of 3,000 mega watt, which will go up to 1,000 rmega watts during next year. The ever biggest investment from the day of establishment of Pakistan in the power sector was made during the previous PPP Government. The Power Policy of 1994 led to an additional 3078 nnega watt of electricity production, which in return, led to 3.5 billion US dollars investment.

In order to coup with the current situation, the present government has devised and is implementing an ambitious plan to coup with the immediate and future needs of the country in the energy sector. During this year, we shall install 2200 mega watt power generation units. We have also chalked out, in the first chase, Thar Coal Power Generation project for 5,000 mega watt of electricity. By increasing its capacity, ,we shall reach up to 20,000 mega watt of power production in the long run.

Besides concentrating on additional production of electricity, we are giving equal attention on energy saving, we plan to save 500 rnega watt of electricity though special load management campaigns, thereby scaling down load shedding. Moreover, PEPCO has been directed to ensure provision of 10 million energy saver bulbs at an appropriate price to consumers.

I hope the national media including the "Energy Update" will support the, energy saving campaign and also supplement the government's efforts to achieve energy security, which is vital for a sustainable growth of the national economy.

I congratulate the management and the editorial staff of the "Energy Update" on the second anniversary of the magazine and wish them success in future.