Shahbaz Sharif will come to Lahore tomorrow

Lahore: CM Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif is coming back to his city tomorrow after giving final shape to the two latest coal power plants of 660 megawatts each in Sahiwal between Punjab government and Chinese companies.

According to the decision taken during recent visit of China, the work on the projects in Sahiwal will be started in May. A programme has been evolved to complete these coal power plants within shortest possible time.

 Meanwhile, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, addressing members of his delegation in China, said that the coal power plants in Sahiwal are of historic importance. He said that this project is a proof of the fact that government is committed to eliminate load-shedding from the country.

He said that besides launching new electricity projects, Punjab government is also working speedily on coal based power plants. He said that time is not far off when we will be able to produce electricity through local coal due to which not only precious foreign exchange will be saved but the mines industry will also flourish.

The Chief Minister said that the installation of coal power plants in Sahiwal is a good news for the people of the country particularly Punjab. He said that according to the experts, coal power plants in Sahiwal will be a beginning of a comprehensive programme of producing electricity through coal in Punjab. He said that not only electricity will be available to the domestic consumers through this project but it will also be used for agriculture and industrial purposes. He said that this project will prove helpful in overcoming energy crisis.

 While talking to the heads of Huaneng Shandong Power Corporation and Shandong Ruyi Group in Sanya, city of China, the Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that increasing trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China is useful for both the countries. He said that China has become the second big economic power of the world and we want to fully benefit from Chinese technology. He said that the economic progress of China is a role model for other developing countries including Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that Pakistan can also become a big economic power by following Chinese progress. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government is taking all possible steps for ridding the country of energy crisis. He said that energy projects are the backbone of national economy for keeping the wheel of industry of the country moving on.

He said that all possible steps are being taken for completing energy projects expeditiously. Shahbaz Sharif said that the progress in coal power plants in Sahiwal between Punjab government and Chinese investors during his recent visit to China is a good omen. He said that besides energy sector, the work will also be started speedily on the agreement in textile sector made with Chinese group regarding cooperation in Quaid-e-Azam Apparel Park Project.

The Chief Minister said that Chinese group will invest two billion dollars in textile sector, as a result of which not only textile sector will strengthen but new job opportunities will be created, exports of the country will increase and national economy will improve. He said that Chinese companies are ready to make investment at a large scale in Punjab. He said that facilities are being provided to Chinese investors on priority basis in Punjab.

 Earlier, a high level delegation of prominent industrial group NORINCO met Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at Bao city, China in which promotion of cooperation in energy, infrastructure and transport sectors were discussed. Talking to the members of the delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan has become the second home for Chinese investors. He said that a number of Chinese companies are working in energy, infrastructure, transport and other sectors in Pakistan. He said that the deep brotherly relations exist between Pakistan and China for the last over six decades.

He said that Pak-China friendship has achieved new impetus during the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Referring to the economic situation of the country, Shahbaz Sharif said that the national economy is improving due to positive policies of the government. He said that due to launching of bonds in international market, Pakistani stock market has also witnessed high momentum which is a good omen for country’s economy.