LAHORE - A Chinese delegation led by Vice President Huang Shandong Power Company Liu Jie met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif yesterday.
The pace of progress on 1320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal was discussed in the meeting and it was agreed to further accelerate the work on the project.
The chief minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of execution of the project and said that this important project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor will soon be given practical shape. He said that despite the hurdles created last year, no effort will be spared for the completion of this project in a record period.
He said that the project of two coal power plants of 660 megawatts in Sahiwal in a glorious example of Pak-China friendship. The Chief Minister said that work is being carried out on 1320 megawatts power project expeditiously. He said that all out facilities have been provided to the engineers and staff of the Chinese company working on the site. He said that Sahiwal coal power project is of national importance.
Shahbaz Sharif said that super critical power plants are being established in Sahiwal which are environment-friendly. He said that every moment is precious with regard to the project. He said that the project of coal power plants will be completed in 2017.
He said that the completion of gas and coal based projects will result in availability of inexpensive electricity to the masses. He said that he is personally monitoring the pace of progress on Sahiwal coal power plants.
Vice President of the Chinese company while speaking on the occasion thanked Chief Minister and his team for their extraordinary cooperation. He assured that the project will be completed in 2017 and work is in progress expeditiously on the project in accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Punjab Power Development Board Chairman Arif Saeed, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Secretary Energy and senior officials of Huang Shandong Company were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Chinese investors met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and discussed prospects of investment in energy sector. The Chinese investors expressed keen interest in power projects based on coal and solid waste.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Punjab government is providing facilities for investment in energy sector on priority basis, therefore, a large number of foreign investors especially from China and Turkey are coming to the province.
He said that transparency, speed and high standard in the completion of projects are the hallmark of provincial government. He welcomed the interest shown by Chinese investors in energy sector and assured that all out facilities will be provided to them. The Chinese investors said that they want to make investment in energy sector in Punjab.
Separately, Chairman of a prominent investment group of Turkey, Abdul Kadir Toran called on Shahbaz Sharif and presented 750 bags of warm clothes for earthquake affectees of Pakistan on behalf of his group.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that Turkey has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need including earthquake, flood or any other natural calamity. He said that donation of 750 bags of warm clothes for earthquake victims by the Turk group is an example of brotherhood between the people of Turkey and Pakistan. He said that this spirit of help to the earthquake affectees by Turk brethren is highly commendable.
The chief minister further said that Turk people had also helped the flood affectees of Pakistan generously and Turk investors celebrated Eid with the flood victims instead of their families in Turkey. He said that help and assistance of Turk people to Pakistanis can never be forgotten.
Abdul Kadir Toran said that Turk people are with earthquake affectees of Pakistan. He also congratulated Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the success of international investment conference. Member National Assembly Mehr Ishtiaq Ahmed and Kh. Ahmed Hasaan were also present on the occasion.
Also, President of a prominent Chinese company in energy sector Zoenergy, Yu Yong met Shahbaz Sharif.
Matters regarding progress on solar projects being set up at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur under China Pakistan Economic Corridor were discussed in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion Shahbaz Sharif said that CPEC project are being speedily implemented in Punjab and completion of power projects within stipulated period is the mission of the government.
He said that besides solar energy, work on power projects based on gas and coal is also continuing. He said that completion of energy projects will result in availability of low-cost electricity to the masses. He said that CPEC projects will be completed on priority basis.
President of the Chinese company Yu Yong said that people of China deeply appreciate the hard work and determination of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He said that Chinese leadership and the people love Shahbaz Sharif and he has deep respect in China. Yu Yong also congratulated Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the success of investment conference.