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PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurates the first solar power project of Pakistan

PM PakistanLahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that 100 megawatts solar power project set up in the desert of Bahawalpur is the first and the biggest of its kind in the history of Pakistan.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first and the biggest solar power project of 100 megawatts in the history of Pakistan at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur today. Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif provided guidance on ever occasion in this regard and it was under his leadership that this project has been completed in a record period.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had laid the foundation stone of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park last year, which is the biggest in the world, and this 100 megawatts project has started production and the electricity generated by it is being added to the national grid for the last about two months. He said that this is a big achievement.

He said that this 100 megawatts project has been completed in a record period and it is the only solar power project in the world which has been started with 100 megawatts whereas the other solar projects set up so far anywhere were of 20 megawatts or 25 megawatts. He said that this project will result in development of the districts of South Punjab and prosperity of the area as besides establishment of a number of industrial estates, thousands of job opportunities will also be created.

The Chief Minister also announced setting up of industrial estates in Bahawalpur and adjoining areas and said that single shift industry in industrial estates might also be provided electricity from the solar power project. He said that setting up of industrial estates and solar power projects will result in promotion of industrialization in South Punjab, creation of job opportunities and solution of problems of the country. Moreover, he said, it will accelerate investment and economic activities in the region and South Punjab will emerge as an important economic center.

He said that establishment of industrial estates in South Punjab will create thousands of job opportunities for the youth and result in progress and prosperity of the area.He said that Chairman TBEA Zhang Xin and his team also displayed outstanding performance and proved that anything is possible with hard work and honesty.

He said that Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong also extended all out cooperation with regard to the project for which he is thankful to him. He said that Federal Minister for Water and Power Kh. Muhammad Asif and Chairman Punjab Power Development Company Arif Saeed have also worked on this project round the clock and extended full cooperation for its completion.

The Chief Minister said that this project is a milestone in Pak-China economic cooperation and it is the first solar power station of the country and has been set up in those deserts where there was neither water nor roads. However, he said that with the grace of Allah Almighty, this project has been completed through hard work and commitment and it is a miracle.

He said that the completion of this project has proved that any target can be achieved if honesty and commitment is displayed.

Giving details of the project, Shahbaz Sharif said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had laid foundation stone of the project on May 9, 2014 and before awarding of the contract, Punjab government had provided roads and water but then unfortunately sit-ins started. He said that these sit-ins caused a huge loss to the economy, politics and other fields of life were affected while image of Pakistan was tarnished. He said that sit-ins caused a big damage to the country and efforts are still being made to make up this loss.

The Chief Minister further said that sit-ins also undermined energy projects for the time being and the life of common man was badly impacted. He said that these negative activities wasted several months of the nation while this project was also delayed. He said that number of projects for progress and development including metro bus project suffered badly due to sit ins and grave injustice was done to the country under the garb of sit ins and negative politics.

He said that the visit of Chinese President was postponed due to sit-ins, however, delay caused by sit-ins in the projects of national development and prosperity has been overcome. He said that it is time to forget the past and move forward with a new commitment and determination. Shahbaz Sharif said that work on this project was again started in October-November 2014 and it was completed in March within a period of six months. He said that though sit-ins caused a big loss to the country but Allah Almighty has saved Pakistan and all out efforts will be made under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during next three years to overcome all problems.

The Chief Minister said that energy shortage is the biggest problem of the country after terrorism which has pushed the country into darkness and badly affected development process. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park is the biggest and unique solar power project of the world. He said that there are vast opportunities of generation of electricity from solar energy in Pakistan. He said that after terrorism, energy crisis is the biggest issue being faced by Pakistan which has affected every walk of life.

He said that this project of solar power has been completed in a highly transparent manner and negotiations were held with Chinese company which had given the lowest bid for the project and a sum of two billion rupees were further reduced which is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan nor it is permitted under the law. He said that the Chinese companies gave discount of two billion rupees in the project cost which is a glorious example of Pak-China friendship. He said that this project is a masterpiece of standard and transparency.

He said that German Consultant has checked each and every panel and it is his challenge that this solar project can be compared with any other project of the world. The Chief Minister further said that under Pak-China economic corridor, 900 megawatt more electricity will be achieved from the solar park and out of this, 350 megawatts electricity will become available by the end of current year and 550 megawatts next year. He said that in this way, this 100 megawatts project will be the biggest solar power project in the world.

Shahbaz Sharif said that when planning was made for this project, investors from private sector in Pakistan were invited but though private sector of Pakistan is very strong yet it is in the habit of profiteering and wanted easy money from this project which could not be allowed. He said that such profiteering or profiteers have no room in Pakistan. The Chief Minister while addressing Prime Minister requested him to encourage more investors who want to serve the country and giving opportunities to come forward whereas those who are making investment outside the country instead of Pakistan should be strictly dealt with. He believed that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif should take notice of this fact and those investors who invest their capital outside the country should be held accountable. He said that this project will be enlisted in stock market.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that 30000 megawatts electricity is being produced in Germany from solar where there is no sunshine and it is the first and unique solar power project which has been set up in district Bahawalpur of South Punjab of Pakistan. He further said that there is a need to remove the confusion with regard to solar and wind power energy projects and also revise the tariff as the rate of solar energy is decreasing all over the world. He said that huge foreign exchange is required for the import of oil, gas or coal and compared to this, solar energy is almost free. He said that NEPRA should be issued instructions as its rate was 16.8 cent and the rate of 13.5 cent has been achieved under this project whereas NEPRA rate is still 14.1 cent.

Shahbaz Sharif requested Prime Minister to consider this matter. He said that recent visit of Chinese President was historic during which agreements of 46 billion dollars were signed. He said that the projects given by China to Pakistan are unprecedented. He said that the reason for Chinese investment in Pakistan is the confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and 18 crore people of the country.

He said that China has preferred to make investment in Pakistan instead of those countries where conditions were better and that is why, we believe Pak-China friendship is unprecedented and this huge investment package is a big gift and support. He said that investment agreements of 20 billion dollars have been made with China only in energy sector. He said that this economic package of China will never be forgotten by the people of Pakistan.

Addressing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Chief Minister said that Allah Almighty has given you an opportunity to make the economy of Pakistan invincible just as defense of the country by carrying out nuclear test. He said that a system of reward and punishment will have to be adopted and those who will serve the masses will be encouraged while those creating hurdles in the process of public service, should be strictly dealt with.

The Chief Minister especially appreciated Chinese company PBEA, Pakistan government, Punjab government, contractors, German Consultant, President Bank of Punjab, Additional Chief Secretary Energy and Chief Executive Officer of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Najam Shah for their outstanding performance and said that nation is proud of such hard working and honest officers. Shahbaz Sharif requested Prime Minister to give taghma-e-khidmat to Najam Shah. He said that Allah Almighty has given us an opportunity to complete energy projects for strengthening national economy and the government will soon be in a position to take this project to stock exchange for investment.

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