PM stresses conserving energy to rein in prices
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro Friday emphasized the need to focus on energy conservation, keeping in view the high oil prices in international market to minimize its impact on economy.
Chairing a meeting held here to review the financialsituation of the country, he directed Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to devise energy conservation plan with concrete suggestions in consultation with the concerned quarters. He also directed to launch a mass media campaign to create awareness among the consumers. The Prime Minister said public participation is of vitalimportance to lessen the burden of oil price-hike on national exchequer.
He said there is a need to focus on multi-prong strategy andlook into the alternative sources of energy like wind, coal and solar energy. He said more reliance should be shifted to other sources sothat the reliance on imported fuel can be lessened. He directed the concerned quarters to engage the EngineeringDevelopment Board to help in devising energy saving equipments.
The Prime Minister said caretaker government has limited andspecific mandate and every possible efforts would be made to protect the public interest and make their life easier and better.
He also directed the Federal Board of Revenue to gear up itsefforts to meet the revenue collection targets. Earlier, the Prime Minister was briefed by Minister forFinance, Dr. Salman Shah on increase in oil prices ininternational market and its impact on the economy. He said at present the government is paying Rs. 13 billionper month in subsidy of the oil prices and said there is a need to rationalize the prices.
Minister for Water and Power Tariq Hameed also attended the meeting. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro has said that the next general elections would be free and transparent and no one would be allowed to exert any influence in this regard. While talking to various delegations at Muhammad House here on Friday evening, he said the election commission is completely independent and it will ensure free and transparent elections. The people he added, should display the same spirit during the elections and exercise their right to franchise in favour of their favourite candidates.
He said the caretaker government has a specific and time limit task. Though the mandate of the caretaker government is to create a peaceful environment necessary for holding of free, fair and transparent election, it is also focusing on continuation of policies for improving the quality of life of people, alleviating poverty and generating employment.
The Prime Minister said the caretaker government demands professional competency of the civil servants to ensure that the responsibilities and role assigned to them during the interim arrangement is fulfilled with complete honesty and dedication.
PM Mohammadmian Soomro further said there are no chances to deploying armed guards by private security companies inside polling stations during the forthcoming general elections on January 8 adding that the rangers and police are being considered as the force to be deployed outside polling stations. District Nazim Jaccababad Begum Saeeda Soomro, District Nazim Shikarpur Arif Khan Jatoi, District Nazim Ghotki Sardar Ali Gohar Khan Mahar, District Nazim Kashmore Sardar Saleem Jan Mazari, District Coordnation Officer (DCO) Kashmore Syed Abid Ali Shah, DCO Shikarpur Khuwaja Shafique Ahmed, DCO Ghotki Baqa Ullah Unar, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sukkur Muhmmad Bachal Sangri, DIG Larkana Abdul Majeed Dasti, DPO Jaccababad Muneer Ahmed Khuhro, Ex-ministers Sardar Manzoor Khan Panhwar, Dr. Suhrab Khan Sarki, officials, elected representatives and notables of the areas were present on the occasion.