Solar project would bring prosperity in region: CM

The 1000-megawatt Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park being set up in the desert of Bahawalpur is the first and the biggest of its kind project in the history of Pakistan, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first phase of the project at Bahawalpur on Tuesday.

“The phase 1 has been completed in a record period and it is the only solar power project in the world which has started with a capacity of 100 megawatts whereas the other solar projects set up so far anywhere are of 20 megawatts or 25 megawatts,” he said, adding that that this project will result in development of the districts of South Punjab and prosperity of the area as besides establishment of a number of industrial estates, thousands of job opportunities will also be created.

He also announced setting up of industrial estates in Bahawalpur and adjoining areas and said that single shift industry in industrial estates might also be provided electricity from the solar power project.

“Setting up of industrial estates and solar power projects will result in promotion of industrialisation in the region, creation of job opportunities and eventually help in solving of crisis in the country,” he said.

He said that Chinese Company TBEA gave the lowest bid but despite it, an additional concession of Rs 2 billion was given to the government.

“The deserts of Cholistan have been transformed into developed region by the engineers of TBEA and Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Company within a short period of one year,” he said.

He said that nothing is impossible if work is carried out with commitment, honesty and devotion.

He said that investors from private sector in Pakistan were invited for investment in this project but they are in the habit of profiteering and wanted easy money from this project which was not allowed.

He asked the prime minister that we should discourage these profiteers who take the money earned from here abroad and provide opportunity to those people to come forward who want to invest every penny in the country.