- PM inaugurates Rs 57.38b Nandipur project, invites protesting elements to work for country’s development
- Regrets loss of billions of rupees to national kitty due to delay and corruption in implementing power projects
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the first phase of Rs 57.38 billion Nandipur Power Project and called upon certain opposition parties to shun their protests for the sake of national interest and support the federal government for country’s prosperity.
The first turbine of 425 mega watts (MW) Nandipur Power Project started producing 95 MW of electricity in the initial stage. The four-unit project would be completed by the end of this year in cooperation of Dongfang Electric Corporation China.
Addressing the gathering which included Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and Dong Fang Chairman Wang Ji, the prime minister said that it was a matter of joy that the first power unit of the project had started functioning in the record period of about seven months.
The premier said that he had already laid down the foundation stones of two projects in Port Qasim with power capacity of 1320 MW, besides another coal fired power project in Sahiwal with the same power capacity.
The rapid pace with which the foundation stones of such projects were being laid and completed had never been witnessed in Pakistan’s history, he added.
OF WASTED FUNDS:
Agreeing with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s views over the gross negligence and corruption of the past which made the machinery of Nandipur project to rust at Karachi Port for three years, he said a notice in this regard should be taken. He regretted that due to such delay and corruption, loss of billions of rupees was incurred to the national kitty.
The prime minister lamented that for the completion of national projects, loans were acquired and frittered away recklessly without caring the interests of the poor and toiling segments of the society.
OF HOMOGENOUS DEVELOPMENT:
Sharif vowed to come up to the expectations of the masses which had expressed their complete confidence in the leadership of PML-N.
“We are not only completing projects in the areas where we got massive votes, but also in those areas where others got the mandate,” he said, adding that the people who were raising hue and cry should also know that the PML-N government would continue with the network of development projects throughout the country.
“We will work throughout the length and breadth of the country. We shall work to complete Lahore-Karachi Motorway in the current tenure for which Rs 55 billion have been earmarked for land acquisition,” he added.
CALL FOR SUPPORT:
Calling upon critics, the premier said that those elements that were protesting should reconsider that the government was working for the progress and prosperity of the country through a string of unprecedented projects.
They should support the government in its endeavours for national progress and prosperity, he added.
“The agenda of protest is beyond comprehension. Why are they agitating? Are they against progress and prosperity of the country, removal of darkness, creation of jobs, youth employment scheme, setting up power plants, Kashghar to Khunjrab and Raikot to Islamabad links or are they protesting against projects like Nandipur or the future ones?” he questioned.
“For God’s sake let the country head on the path of progress,” he called upon the opposition parties.
PM IS THANKFUL, ANNOUNCES BONUSES:
The premier also thanked the Chinese leadership and the Chinese company for helping Pakistan in execution of various mega projects and vowed to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation further.
Sharif also lauded “tireless efforts” of Nandipur Project Director Cap Mehmood, Punjab chief minister and all concerned government functionaries for their contributions. He opined that Pakistanis like Mahmood should be conferred with medals and announced three months bonus for all the workers on his part and an additional three months bonus on behalf of the Punjab chief minister.
Dong Fang Electric Corporation (DEC) Chairman Wang Ji said the Nandipur project was a symbol of cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani workers. He said the Pak-China Economic Corridor would bring prosperity in Pakistan, assuring that China would continue to extend its cooperation and work with dedication to complete development projects in Pakistan.
