Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated at a ceremony for the foundation of Hazara Electric Company (HAZEC) on Friday that the establishment of HAZECO satisfies a longtime demand of the Hazara people and that all formalities in this regard will be completed shortly.
The new company will serve around 726,000 customers in Haripur, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Torgarh, Kohistan Upper, Kohistan Lower, and Kolai Plus, a total area of over 16,774 square kilometres.
Minister for Energy Engineer Khurram Dastgir stated that a 765KV grid was also ready to be launched in Mansehra, adding that the new government had continued the development process halted by the previous PTI administration.
During the occasion, Prime Minister Sharif also solicited the support of the business community in implementing the energy conservation plan, which aims to close markets and restaurants early to ensure the prudent use of national resources and minimise the import bill.
“I urge the business community to provide assistance to the government” (for energy conservation). This will reduce oil imports and lower the dollar rate, freeing up funds for the country’s development, particularly agriculture and medicine, according to the prime minister.