Why is the govt privatising the

Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park?

To tackle the massive crisis of energy in Pakistan, the

current government made several promises which included
two power projects Nandipur Power Plant and Quaid-e-
Azam Solar Park (QASP) project in Bahawalpur.

But after the failure of the federal governments Nandipur

power plant, the Punjab government has started the process of
privatisation of the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, according to
"Exposed", a show on DawnNews.

Read editorial: Nandipur asco

The show explores the reasons behind the Punjab

governments plans to privatise the solar project and their
inability to provide the promised energy output.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had recently defended

the cost and electricity production of the QASP project and
dispelled any misconceptions regarding the projects
viability.

What prompted the decision to privatise the park?

Anchor Shiraz Hasnat discusses the issue with Punjab

government spokesperson Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri, energy
expert Arshad Abbasi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader
Andleeb Abbas and journalist Anwer Hussain Sumra.

During the discussion Sumra reveals, The solar park is

producing only 18 megawatt of electricity instead of the 100
megawatt that was promised by the provincial government.

Bahawalpurs climate is not suitable for the project. The

 Bahawalpurs climate is not suitable for the project. The
temperature rises above 45 degrees Celsius which does not
produce the required amount of electricity, said Abbasi.

Criticising the claims made by CM Punjab over the project, PTI

leader Andleeb Abbas said, The solar plant has failed to
provide cheap electricity. It has been constructed on a wildlife
park, which has disturbed the bio-diversity of the area.

Also read: Solar Park project: Cholistans precious trees being illegally
sold

She further said that her party would take up the issue in the
parliament.

The solar plant is an expensive project which is not feasible for

Pakistan, according to Arshad Abbasi who explained that, Like
India, we should have set up solar panels on waste lands and
focus more on hydro power.

According to the documents obtained by Exposed, the Punjab

Privatisation Board will privatise the shares of the project as
per the orders of the Punjab government.
Defending the privatisation, Zaeem Qadri said, We are
divesting the equity from this project, so that we can invest
that money in upcoming energy projects.

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