ISLAMABAD – Since many of the ongoing energy projects in the country are being completed under Chinese assistance, the Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar has directed the departments concerned to reprioritise the same. He observed that revamping process would also be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of Pakistan China energy working group. An official source said that the minister gave these directions at a specially convened meeting on the energy sector projects. He said the modalities would be sorted out during President Zardari’s upcoming visit to China. The energy working group was formed during the visit of Chinese premier last year to increase mutual cooperation in the energy sector.
The minister observed that discussion with the Chinese officials would include those projects that were at an early stage of planning or initiation. Qamar hoped that those projects could be expedited with Chinese assistance. During the meeting, Qamar was told that the Pakistan Electric Power Company had prioritized upgradation of the Guddu Power Plant, Uch Power II, Thar Coal and Neelum Jehlum projects while the National Transmission and Despatch Company recommended 12 projects for Chinese assistance. Water and Power Development Authority gave a long list of projects in water sector but was asked for short-listing.
The list finalised by Pakistan also includes the construction of Iran Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project for which financial assistance from China would be sought. Pakistan also plans to offer setting up of oil refineries along the Balochistan coast and exploitation of Thar coal reserves in Sindh province to the Chinese companies.
