Tag: Imran Ismail

  • Governor Sindh Visits K-Electric’s BQPS-III Power Plant, Reviews Swift Progress of Unit One

    Governor Sindh Visits K-Electric’s BQPS-III Power Plant, Reviews Swift Progress of Unit One

    Governor Sindh Imran Ismail visited K-Electric’s Bin Qasim Power Station-III (BQPS-III) project to review the progress on the latest addition to Karachi’s power network. The visit followed a meeting between KE’s Senior Leadership and the Governor Sindh where KE presented an update on the company’s preparedness for Ramadan and the 2021 summer season.

    BQPS-III is a USD 650 million project which will be adding 900 MW of generation capacity to KE’s existing network. This mega-project is progressing on the back of close collaboration between leading engineering firms who are partnering with KE to achieve a shared vision of empowering Karachi. Work is progressing swiftly, and the first unit of 450 MW is over 70% complete and is expected to come online in the next 5 to 6 weeks. The high-efficiency plant will be utilizing RLNG as its primary fuel source. Not only is this expected to reduce the carbon footprint, the inclusion of RLNG will further diversify the company’s fuel mix and bring savings by lowering import costs for the government by eliminating the need for furnace oil.

    KE officials were joined by senior representatives from Siemens, SSGC, and PLL, who apprised the Governor of the progress on the construction of a spur pipeline which will be supplying 150mmcfd of gas to BQPS-III, which is keeping pace with the plant’s progress and is also over 90% complete. The underlying Gas Supply Agreement between SSGC and PLL is also in advanced stages and is expected to be finalized as soon as necessary approvals are received from the Government, ensuring an adequate supply of fuel to energize the plant.

    Commenting on his visit, Governor Imran Ismail said, “The sincerity of the Government of Pakistan is evident in the support they have extended to KE, and I am pleased to see that Sehr and Iftar times during this Ramadan are exempt from load-shed as a result. I’m monitoring the situation daily to ensure that the best possible facilitation is given to the citizens of Karachi. Seeing the scale and progress of work and the commitment with which KE is working, I feel positive for the future of the city. KE’s management and representatives from Siemens, SSGC, and PLL have assured me that they are working to complete the project on time, and I have instructed them to resolve any bottlenecks that may affect the energization of the plant which is expected to be inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister. In this process, I have also assured them of my fullest support from my office and from the Government of Pakistan.”

    CEO K-Electric, Moonis Alvi said, “We’re grateful to the Governor Imran Ismail sahab and our partners at Siemens, SSGC, and PLL for visiting BQPS-III today. The timely execution of this project is critical to meet Karachi’s future demand, and we are all working around the clock to ensure the same. I also want to commend the Government of Pakistan for their support to KE and Karachi, especially during Ramadan which has enabled us to fully support Karachi’s power requirements. We look forward to this support in the summer months as well. Without their assistance and collaboration, it would not be possible for us to realize this dream for Karachi.”

    Speaking with media during his visit to under construction BQPS-III site, Mr. Imran Maniar, Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) said, “It is very important for us to work together with KE which is also our largest customer. Timely energization of this plant is necessary and we are working with KE to ensure their RLNG requirement is met. SSGC is pleased to be playing its role in this process.”

  • Cracks within PTI deepen as leader accuses party of selling Senate ticket for Rs35 crores

    In yet another development that suggests deepening of cracks within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ranks, party leader and former Sindh chief minister (CM) Liaqat Jatoi has levelled accusations of selling at least one Senate ticket for Rs350 million (Rs35 crores) to newcomer and wealthy construction contractor Saifullah Abro.

    “He joined the party six months ago… on what grounds was he awarded a ticket [for the upper house of the parliament]?” Jatoi was heard as asking media persons during a brief presser on Tuesday.

    According to earlier reports, the days leading to the election for the Senate are getting difficult for the ruling party owing to differences between its leaders.

    Sindh chapter is facing a severe rift after the party leadership finalised Federal Minister Faisal Vawda and Abro for the Senate from the province, The News reported last week.

    The party’s decision generated criticism from its key leaders from three zones of rural Sindh who wrote a letter to Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to show their anger and demand the party’s high command to take back tickets from Vawda and Abro.

    Encouraged by the PTI’s recent decision to withdraw the party ticket awarded to business tycoon Abdul Qadir in Balochistan for the Senate election after opposition from the party’s provincial leadership, the Sindh leaders also initiated a campaign to pressurise the party’s parliamentary committee to review its decision of allocating tickets.

    In a letter, the PTI’s office-bearers from three regions said that they were “extremely disappointed with the entire process” of the selection of party’s candidates for the Senate polls from the province.

    The leaders who signed the letter included Liaqat Jatoi’s brother Sadaqat Ali Jatoi, Sukkur district President Mubeen Jatoi, Allah Bux Unnar and Raja Khan Jhakrani, former provincial secretary general Mehfooz Usrani, a former candidate from NA-214 Shaheed Benazirabad Gul Muhammad Rind, former provincial minister Agha Taimoor Khan Pathan, Papu Khan Chachar and other office-bearers.

    Showing severe concerns over finalising Abro for the Senate on technocrat seat, the PTI leaders asked how the Senate ticket was given to a newcomer in the party.

    They alleged that cases against Abro, who has still been working closely with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership and famed as an “ATM”, have been pending in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The PTI leaders from rural Sindh asked to review the allocation of the Senate tickets from Sindh and said that the decision will harm the party in the upcoming local government polls.

    However, a senior PTI leader from Sindh was quoted as saying that awarding a ticket to Abro was the party’s strategy to stop its MPAs from selling their votes to the PPP’s candidates as the party was fearful that the ruling party in the province may buy at least 10 out of its 30 members in the provincial assembly.

    “Abro is a billionaire construction contractor and he will not only stop the PTI MPAs from selling their votes but can also buy the votes of PPP to win on technocrat seats,” the party leader, who requested anonymity, said.

    It is pertinent to note that on Monday, the nomination papers of Abro on technocrat seat were rejected by the election tribunal.

  • VIDEO: Sindh governor’s dog enjoying police protocol in Karachi?

    It seems even pets of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail enjoy police protocol in Karachi.

    According to a video that went viral on social media, a dog can be seen enjoying a ride in a government SUV on the roads of the provincial capital, with its head hanging out of the window.

    A police vehicle is also seen tailing the Prado as a part of its security protocol. No one can be seen accompanying the dog in the video, but the governor says that his family members were travelling in the vehicle when the video was shot.

    The video was posted by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Taimoor Talpur. Talpur said that he filmed the video after he came out of the Chief Minister House following a meeting, as per a report in Geo News.

    Subsequently, a clarification was issued by the governor on Twitter. Ismail clarified the police mobile was accompanying the vehicle to protect his family that was also travelling in it. “The police van was not there for protocol but to protect the family,” he said, adding that it is a “frivolous move” to make such videos.

    “The person [Talpur] who made the video is part of a corrupt government,” he alleged.

  • Did Sindh governor pass on coronavirus to an assistant commissioner?

    An assistant commissioner of Sindh’s Matiari district has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to lab reports.

    Saeedabad AC Ammar Hussain Rizvi was among the officials who had performed duties during the visit of Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, who tested positive for the virus earlier this week, to Matiari on April 22, Dawn reported.

    Rizvi, who is originally a resident of Hyderabad, has been quarantined in a facility located in his own office, an administration official said.

    Unconfirmed reports said he had come into contact with some pilgrims as well aside from being a part of the governor’s visit.

    Earlier, Governor Ismail confirmed on his Twitter account that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

    “I have just been tested Covid 19 positive, Allah Kareem inshallah will fight it out. @ImranKhanPTI taught us to fight out the most difficult in life and I believe this is nothing against what we are prepared for. May Allah give strength to fight this Pandemic inshallah,” he tweeted.

    The tweet was followed by Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan wishing hi a speedy recovery.

    “Praying for Governor Imran Ismail’s speedy recovery from COVID19. May Allah grant him the strength to fight this,” the premier had tweeted.