LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday said that a number of agreements had been signed between Pakistan and China for generation of power from coal and other resources during the recent visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to China.
These agreements will help in eliminating energy crisis on permanent basis, he said this during separate meetings with the heads of Chinese investment companies and Pakistani delegation in Beijing.He said that the solution of the problem of shortage of electricity will accelerate industrial and trade activities while new job opportunities will also be created resulting in overcoming poverty alleviation.
He said that low-cost electricity will be available to the masses due to implementation of coal power plants with the cooperation of China. The CM said that the agreements between Pakistan and China for power generation and economic development are an important step towards progress of the country.
He said that the agreements signed with China will prove to be a milestone in bilateral cooperation, strengthening Pak-China friendship and progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He said that these projects will be completed speedily and in a transparent manner which will change the destiny of the people of Pakistan and a new era of progress and prosperity will usher in.
Shahbaz said that solution of energy crisis at the earliest is essential for speedy progress, adding recent agreements of cooperation in energy sector and interest shown by China in this regard is highly encouraging.
He said that had due attention been paid to the generation of power from coal in the past, the energy crisis in Pakistan would not have been so serious today.
Punjab government has made planning for generation of electricity from cheaper sources which will yield positive results. he said adding special incentives are being offered to foreign investors in energy sector.
He said that though the politics of sit-ins and protest caused a temporary delay in the power projects with the help of China but now these agreements have been signed and it will disappoint the enemies of progress and prosperity of the country.
He said that agreements of investment of billions of dollars reflect the full confidence of the government and leaders of China in the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said that completion of development projects with transparency and speed is a hallmark of the government and the same policy will be adopted in the implementation of the agreements signed with China.
He said that no sit-in and protest can hamper the process of progress and prosperity of Pakistan.