The meeting was participated by Energy and Water Minister Esmayl Khan, Finance Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, Presidential Economic Advisor Eshaq Naderi, Energy Deputy Minister Engineer Sediq, Deputy Finance Minister Wahidullah Shahrani, Planning Directors of the Ministry of Energy and Hasan Zada from Siemens Company.

President Karzai said he is not satisfied with the pace of the progress made in importing and generating electricity for which he asked a report of progress by the Energy Ministry.

Minister Esmayl Khan briefed the participants on the current electricity situation and said the “demand for the electricity is higher than the present capacity”. He said his ministry is making all possible efforts to tackle the problem, but it requires time.

Minister Esmayl Khan explained the reason for lack of sufficient lighting for Kabul as two: Insufficient generated electricity; and lack of proper distribution due to worn out power distribution facilities. So, some of the electricity produced get wasted as the facilities are used out.

He called upon Kabul residents for more patience as the current “power cuts” they experience recently is caused by the ongoing work to fix up the power distribution network.

President Karzai instructed the Energy Ministry to prepare and submit within three days a comprehensive draft on how to accelerate the process of generating and importing electricity.

Also, the President instructed the Ministry to install thermal generators to help fill power shortage for Kabul citizens. He instructed the Ministry of Finance to provide the funding for the project from whatever resources they can.