Talking to media on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister said that the agreement between Punjab government and Chinese company for setting up energy generating projects is of great importance. He said that China Power International Holdings is the biggest company of power sector of China and under the agreement, four coal power plants would be set up in Gadani (Balochistan) and 2400 megawatts energy would be generated through these plants.
The Chief Minister further said that according to the agreement made with Chinese company, two power plants would be completed within two years while the other two plants within three years from the date of agreement. He said that major investment would be made by Chinese company; however, Punjab government will also make some investment. He said that all matters relating to implementation of the agreement would be settled in a transparent manner.
Shahbaz Sharif said that this agreement is continuity of Prime Minister's recent visit to China as we had signed MoU with CPIH during the visit. He said that 20 days after our visit to China, more than 24 Chinese friends of CPIH have come to Pakistan and today's agreement is very important.
He said that Pak-China friendship is tied with deep relations of love and affection which is further strengthening. Particularly the historic sentiments expressed by Chinese leadership during the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China cannot be narrated in words.
Shahbaz said that under the agreement, coal would be imported for coal power plants and electricity generated through these power plants would be added to national grid and then it would be utilised in Punjab. He expressed the hope that after completion of these projects, electricity would be available in abundance to people of Punjab for agriculture and industry.
Replying to questions of media about Nandipur Power Project, the Chief Minister told that Pakistani team is holding useful talks in China regarding this project. He said that both the countries have suffered great loss due to delay in the project. Vice President CPIH, Wang Zhiying said on this occasion that Pakistan and China are trust worthy friends and this friendship has stood the test of time. He said that his company will act upon according to MoU and work would be carried out speedily for completing these projects at the earliest. He thanked Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the excellent hospitality in Lahore.