LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that elimination of energy crisis is essential for rapid industrial and economic development and work is being carried out round the clock to overcome the problem of energy shortage Energy projects are being speedily executed throughout the country, he said, adding that $34 billion have been allocated for energy projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said a CM House statement. The chief minister said that the government was serious to control energy crisis and all out steps were being taken for the purpose. He said that thousands of megawatt power would be generated with the completion of various energy projects in next two years. He said that timely completion of energy projects was the voice of the nation and mission of PML-N government. “The journey of steering the country out of darkness and bringing to light will be completed at every cost, he added. Giving details, he said that 1320MW coal power plant is being executed speedily in Sahiwal. Similarly, solar based energy projects are being setting up in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur which will be completed soon. He said that the Punjab government has already completed 100MW solar power project in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur from its own resources. He said that work on 3600MW gas-based projects in the province would help reduce energy shortag. “We will come up to the expectations of the people in every sector including energy,” he vowed. He said that those creating hurdles in the journey to progress were not well-wishers of the masses. “A handful of political elements were creating obstacles in the way of development projects for their personal interests,” he alleged. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif along with family members on Sunday left for London ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s open-heart surgery. Before departing for London, the chief minister requested the nation to pray for the successful operation and early recovery of the prime minister. The prime minister will be undergoing an open-heart surgery in London tomorrow. Doctors have advised him bed rest for two weeks after the surgery. Despite the medical treatment, “PM Nawaz would keeping an eye on the matters of the state and would participate in the meetings via video link,” the CM said. The 66-year-old premier is expected to stay in hospital for around a week after the procedure to recover before travelling home.