- Chinese investors show keen interest in developing hydropower projects in Pakistan
- Joint Working Group being formulated under CPEC framework; all provinces being consulted to give technically sound, financially viable recommendations
- Gwadar being uplifted as international free port; government undertaking several projects for development.
- Preliminary work on proposed sites to construct economic zones has been identified by BOI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a window of opportunity that would bring socio-economic development in the country, particularly in two of the least developed provinces of the country.
In a meeting with a group of Chinese investors, the prime minister said that CPEC was a game-changer and all provinces would reap benefits under it.
He said that CPEC was a fusion of multiple development projects, aiming for the prosperity and well-being of citizens of the country, and the region at large.
The Chinese investors expressed a keen interest in developing hydropower projects in the country.
Appreciating the economic policies of the government, they expressed confidence that the transparent investment regime in the country would attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The prime minister welcomed the interest shown in Pakistan’s hydel energy sector and said that the hydroelectric sector was a priority for the government.
He said that Pakistan was resolving its energy crisis by investing in different sources of energy including solar, thermal, and hydro energy projects.
The government had already secured billions of dollars from international financial institutions for the construction of Dasu Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added.
He said that future investment by China Three Gorges International in the hydel energy sector would enable the government to overcome the energy shortfall.
The meeting was informed that a Joint Working Group was being formulated under the CPEC framework whereby all provinces were being consulted to give technically sound and financially viable recommendations of industrial and economic zone.
The meeting was apprised that the priority energy projects under CPEC included Port Qasim Electric Company Coal Fired Plant (1320 MW); Sahiwal Coal-fired Power Plant (1320 MW); Engro Thar Coal-fired Power Plant (1320 MW); Surface Mine in Block II of Thar Coal field 6.5 mtpa; Gwadar Coal Power Project (300 MW); HUBCO Coal Power Plant (660 MW); Rahimyar Khan Coal Power Project (1320 MW); SSRL Thar Coal Block 6.5mpta and CPIH Mine Mouth Power Plant, Thar, Sindh; Coal Fired Power Project Thar block-I (1320 MW); Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur (1000 MW); Dawood Wind Farm, Bhambore, Sindh (50MW); UEP 100MW Wind Farm, Jhimpir, Sindh; Sachal 50MW Wind Farm, Jhimpir, Sindh; Sunnec 50MW Wind Farm, Nooriabad, Thatta, Sindh.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Gwadar was being uplifted as an international free port and the government was undertaking several projects for its development.
Eastbay Expressway-II; Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Expansion of Multipurpose Terminal including breakwater and dredging; Infrastructure for Free Zone and EPZs port related industries; Necessary Facilities of Fresh Water Treatment and Supply; Hospital; Technical and Vocational Institute; The only aviation project (New Gwadar International Airport); Energy projects including Gaddani, Hubco and Gwadar Power Plants (2940 MW), Free Zone of CPEC in Gwadar, Development of Smart City at Gwadar were also part of the Gwadar uplift projects.
The meeting was informed that preliminary working on the proposed sites for constructing economic zones had been identified by BOI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the sites for the economic zones are in Mansehra, Noshehra, Hattar, Ghazi, D.I Khan, Kohat, Karak and Bannu while in Balochistan Turbat, Khuzdar, Dasht, Bostan, Qila Saifullah and Zhob.
The prime minister will announce the finalised sites for the construction of economic zones in both provinces after consultation with the provincial governments and the political leadership.
The meeting was further briefed that the existing roads were being upgraded to interconnect different areas of the country, and the 650 KM Gwadar-Surab road was being completed on priority to link the Gwadar Port with rest of the country. The upgradation of Quetta-DI Khan road was also imperative, while keeping in view its importance.
The meeting discussed in detail the CPEC projects for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was briefed that the province would play the role of a trade and logistic passage zone.
Multiple projects would be executed in the province under CPEC, including rail and road networks, like Swat Motorway Project (81 km) worth US $365 Million; oil and gas sector; development of industrial and economic zones; mineral processing and development zones; telecommunication sector; agriculture and human resource development, among others.
It was also informed that CPEC-Energy Actively Promoted Project include Gaddani Power Park Project, HUBCO Coal Power Plant, Hub Balochistan (660 MW), Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project, Kohala Hydel Project, AJK (1100 MW), Pakistan Wind Farm, Jhampir, Thatta, Sindh (100 MW), Thar Mine Mouth Oracle, Thar Sindh, Muzaffargarh Coal Power Project (1320 MW), Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project including mining with the cooperation of China Machinery Engineering Company, Kohala Hydel Project, AJK and Pakistan Wind Farm II, Jhampir, Thatta, Sindh.
