Islamabad September 05, 2016: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that institutionalization is a key to ensure a modern, efficiency-driven and public responsive work environment. He said that energy crisis - being a major problem in Pakistan - need to be addressed with stern measures through cost-effective reforms in the energy sector. He said that during his tenure in the office of speakership, he made sure that this critical issue is addressed by taking bold initiatives and out of the box solutions. He was addressing a seminar on “Net Metering” held in Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad today.

Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that when he assumed office in 2013, he envisioned moving away the National Assembly from a conventional work environment to modern and automated form. He said that for that purpose sharp reductions were made in the organizational expenditure and energy audit was conducted leading to exploring alternative source of energy. He apprised the audience that in his first meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, he asked for Chinese support to shift the Parliament’s energy source to solar energy in order to nullify power loss and millions of expenditure.

Speaker National Assembly said that in this regard Green Parliament Project was initiated that led to establishment of 1 MW solar power project – the first of its kind in the world. He added that being an environment friendly programme that reduces power usage, this project is a landmark in terms of climate protection addressing global warming threats. He informed that this project holds the capacity not only to fulfill Parliament House’s energy demands but also to feed excess energy into national electricity grid. He said that subsequently Parliament House has been issued “Net-Metering” license by NEPRA enabling it to add surplus energy to the National Grid. He said that provincial assembly of Punjab has also expressed its desire to replicate this project in it premises.

Concluding his address, the NA Speaker said that it is our responsibility to protect the environment for our generations to come as global warming poses serious threats to mother-earth. He said that for his distinguish services in addressing this grave issue, he would suggest the project head of Green Parliament Project Mr. Shahid Shoukat’s name for Pride of Performance award to be conferred to him by the government of Pakistan.