A five-member delegation led by Wang Yitong, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) chairman, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at PM’s Office on Thursday.
The chairman congratulated Nawaz on the assumption of his office. He briefed the PM that his company was one of the 500 largest state-owned enterprises in terms of assets and revenue and deals in various areas, including petroleum, mining, engineering and infrastructure projects.
He informed Nawaz that after the successful visit of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Pakistan, they have enjoyed special support of the Chinese government and leadership to boost business relations between the two friendly countries and undertake projects in Pakistan.
Nawaz said Pakistan was experiencing a severe power shortage. He invited NORINCO, which is engaged in production of solar power plants, to install solar power plants in Pakistan.
The PM said, “We have vast areas in Balochistan and southern Punjab which have sunshine round the year and there is ample land available for installation of solar power plants in Pakistan.”
During the meeting, Nawaz also discussed the possibility of installation of solar energy plants in Balochistan where population was thin, scattered and at distances.
The PM also offered NORINCO to look into mining and setting up of coal power plants at sites in Thar, Balochistan and Punjab where coal is available. The work on the mining and setting up of Thermal Power plants, Nawaz said, could be carried out simultaneously so that the power can be produced as quickly as possible.
The PM also offered NORINCO to look into the exploration of iron ore in the country.
He also discussed the possibilities of projects for running underground trains in Karachi, Lahore and twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in order to facilitate commuters in these cities.
The NORINCO head said that his company was serious and keen to take up projects in Pakistan. In this connection, the chairman informed Nawaz that on his return to China, he would immediately despatch his team of experts to Pakistan to initiate discussions and take these ideas forward.
The PM assured the Chinese delegation that his government is ready and would extend all possible support and cooperation to NORINCO for expediting the process so that work on these projects can start in right earnest.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Power Minister Khawaja Asif and Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
