China has agreed to set up four coal-fired power plants at Gadani Power Corridor in Balochistan.
This was announced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit on Tursday to the site of the corridor‚ which is being named as Gadani Power Park.
He said the government of Pakistan would establish the first plant at the park to attract local and foreign investors.
The park envisages establishment of eight coal fired power plants with aggregate capacity of 5200 MW but the Prime Minister desired that its capacity should be enhanced to ten plants generating 6600 MW.
He also gave instructions for expeditious implementation of different phases of the project as the country cannot afford to lose any time in view of the grave energy crisis.
The Prime Minister said the project would cost billions of dollar and would create economic and employment opportunities for the backward and far-flung region of Balochistan and also Sindh.
Mian Nawaz Sharif said we will have to plan for the next 20 to 25 years to meet demands of 50‚000 MW of electricity. For this purpose‚ we will need four or five power parks like the one being established at Gadani.
He said a proposal is being considered for establishment of an LNG terminal at the power park.
The Prime Minister said yesterday the country produced 16170 MW of electricity which was highest in the history of the country. However‚ the demand has also increased and the gap remains at about three thousand megawatts as was the case a few months back.
He also asked the Sindh Chief Minister to expedite work on utilization of Thar Coal.
He desired that both mining and setting up of coal-fired plants should be undertaken simultaneously so that no time is waste.
The Prime Minister said the proposed six-lane Lahore-Karachi motorway project would also help accelerate the pace of economic development in different areas of the country.
Earlier talking to newsmen during his visit to Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi‚ Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said the PML (N) Government respects mandate of all parties to put the country on the path to progress and prosperity through collective efforts.
Governor and Chief Minister of Sindh accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit.
The Prime Minister said the country is facing challenges like terrorism and extremism but it is encouraging that we are moving forward in a civilized manner.
Replying to a question‚ he said the Government is not oblivious of the security and law and order challenges including the Karachi situation.
He said the Federal and Provincial Governments have already started discussions on formulation of a strategy envisaging setting up counter terrorism force and better policing to fight the menace of crimes.
Replying to a question‚ the Prime Minister said Pakistan wants good neighborly relations with India including promotion of business‚ trade and investment for the benefit of the two peoples.
However‚ he said every effort would be made to resolve all outstanding issues‚ including the longstanding Kashmir dispute‚ with India.
Earlier‚ Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif reached Karachi on a day long visit.
He was received at the airport by Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervez Rashid were accompanying the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister visited the Quaid's mausoleum and offered Fateha.