Enemy is perturbed over projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor : Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore : Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to 1320-megawatt coal power project being set up in Qadirabad near Sahiwal today. He also presided over a meeting at the site of the project and reviewed the pace of implementation.

The Chief Minister also witnessed exercises of Special Protection Unit and talked to the officials. Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and Consul General Yu Boren were also present on the occasion.

ShahbazSharif reviewed the pace of work on Sahiwal Coal Power Project and described the progress made so far as amazing. He also inspected a large generator installed at the fifth storey.

Chinese experts gave a briefing to the Chief Minister on the speed of implementation of the project as well as informed him about technical aspects.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that friends of Pakistan are happy while its enemy is perturbed over projects like Sahiwal Coal Power Project and China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said that progress and prosperity of Pakistan and China depends on CPEC projects as such projects also plan the future. He said that economy of Pakistan is improving and employment opportunities are being created. He said that energy crisis would soon be overcome and all these successes are the result of ongoing CPEC projects with the cooperation of China.

The Chief Minister said that the under-construction 1320 megawatts coal power plant in Sahiwal will be completed by June 2017 and would be the first project in energy sector to be completed in a record period. He said that a new history is being written through completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and Sahiwal Coal Power Project. He said that completion of the project would result in decrease in loadshedding while employment opportunities would increase.

The Chief Minister also inspected exercises of Special Protection Unit set up for the protection of the plant and Chinese engineers and staff. He appreciated the practical display of skills of Special Protection Unit.

Talking to the officials of the unit, he stressed upon them to perform their duties with commitment and efficiency.

Earlier, addressing a meeting at the site of the project, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistani nation is thankful to Chinese government and people for launching CPEC projects and helping in overcoming energy crisis. He said that safety of Chinese engineers and labourers working in Pakistan is the responsibility of the government and no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.

He described Sahiwal Coal Power Project as the best example of cooperation between China and Pakistan. He said that pace of implementation of the project is highly satisfactory and production will start from June next. He also issued instructions for timely completion of laying of additional railway track for transportation of imported coal to the plant and the transmission line.

The meeting also reviewed in detail security arrangements for the plant and Chinese experts while the Chief Minister issued instructions for further improvement.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong described Sahiwal Coal Power Project as a milestone in mutual cooperation between China and Pakistan and said that it is a role model for the projects being completed under CPEC.

He said that the project would be completed within timeframe and it would be up to international environmental standards. He said that the project would result in job opportunities for local population as well as economic progress of the area. He appreciated the vision of Chief Minister Punjab regarding speedy completion of ongoing CPEC projects in the province and said that it is helping in implementation of Sahiwal Coal power project.

He said that Chinese government and companies are also transferring technical expertise to Pakistan. He said that completion of CPEC projects would open a new chapter of progress and prosperity. Chinese Ambassador also assured that cooperation with Pakistan would be continued in all sectors for economic development.

Chinese engineers and staff expressed satisfaction over the facilities provided by the Punjab government at the site of the project. Shehbaz Sharif also gave gifts to the Chinese working on the project.