ISLAMABAD  - Terming the energy and infrastructure projects as backbone of the country’s economy, Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif expressed his government’s commitment to complete these projects at the earliest.
While chairing a meeting to review progress on the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor and infrastructure projects here at Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday, Premier Sharif said that his government would ensure that China got best return of its investment in the country.
Federal Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and senior government officers were in attendance.
The prime minister said that the government would ensure that Chinese investments in Pakistan were secure and provided best returns. The PM further said that he would also discuss cooperation between Pakistan and China on those projects with the Chinese leadership during his visit to the upcoming Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference being held in China from April 9-11, 2014.
During the meeting, the federal minister for planning apprised the PM that framework agreement with the Chinese government for funding of projects had been finalised. The PM was also apprised regarding status of Karachi to Lahore Motorway project and rehabilitation plan for Lahore-Islamabad motorway.
The prime minister said that energy sector projects were of vital importance to Pakistan’s economy and these were on the highest priority list of the government.
During briefing on energy sector projects, the PM was told that master plan for Pakistan Power Park at Gaddani had been completed and feasibility for jetty and infrastructure would be completed by June.
During the meeting briefing was given on early-harvest projects including 1,320 MW coal-based power projects (IPP) at Port Qasim, 660 MW coal-based power projects (IPP) at Gaddani by Power China, 1,100 MW Kohala hydropower project, 873 MW Suki Kanari hydropower project, 720 MW Karot hydropower project, 3.5 MT/A coal mining project Thar Block-II SECMC, solar power park at Bahawalpur, Karachi-Lahore motorway, construction of East-Bay Expressway at Gwadar and 300-bed hospital at Gwadar.
a