Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday decided to carry out restructuring and capacity building of National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA).

He was chairing a review meeting here for promoting energy conservation in the country.

The prime minister formed an inter-ministerial committee under the leadership of former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for important reforms in the energy efficiency authority.

He directed that the inter-ministerial committee should take steps for immediate revival of the authority.

He voiced concern over the wastage of resources and closure of different institutions in the country. The PM expressed his displeasure over the shortcomings in the performance and capacity of NEECA.

The number of personnel in the authority should be increased and transparency should be ensured in the institution, he stressed. The experts in NEECA should devise a strategy for energy savings in the sectors of construction, industry, communications, power and agriculture.

The prime minister was briefed in detail about the performance and mandate of the authority. It was informed that in the past no considerable steps were taken for the capacity building of NEECA. The PM instructed that a timeframe should be set for immediate comprehensive planning and reforms in NEECA.

He was told that draft of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Policy would be presented for approval before the cabinet soon.

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, State Minister for Petroleum Dr Musadiq Malik, Special Assistants to PM Jehanzeb Khan, Syed Fahd Hussain and officials concerned attended the meeting.