CHASHMA (Mianwali), Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the Chinese government has showed its keen interest in injecting more funds in various projects in Pakistan.
While addressing at the inauguration of the 340 MW C-4 Nuclear Power Plant at Chashma on Friday, the prime minister said the federal government was desirous of greater participation of the private sector in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
The prime minister appreciated the cooperation of China in civil nuclear power generation projects, and urged the Chinese companies to invest more in nuclear power projects.
“Our government has initiated large projects with China under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and its benefits are having a trickledown effect” he added.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said progress was visible on projects of roads, Thar coal and Gwadar while gross domestic product (GDP) has risen to over five percent, and hoped it would be six percent next year.
Khaqan Abbasi thanked the government of China, EXIM Bank of China and China Atomic Energy Commission for its support in making Pakistan self-sufficient in electricity.
Furthermore, he reiterated the government was committed to end electricity load-shedding, and would end it in the Country by the end of year.
The prime minister said the government would complete ongoing power projects by next June, 10,000 MW electricity would be added to the national grid by end of its term.
Talking about the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant C-4, he said C-4 was a step forward for the PAEC in achieving its target of adding 8800 MW to the national grid by the year 2020.
The prime minister said his government would fulfill the target, given by the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the C-4 project started injecting power into the national grid only after a period of eight months since the operationalization of C-3, and termed it a matter of pride for the entire nation. The three power units of Chashma were providing 900 MW of less expensive electricity, he added.
“The power supply situation today is much better in the country as compared to few years back,” he said.
Khaqan Abbasi recalled that the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in power when Pakistan entered into an agreement with China for construction of Chasma’s Unit One project and termed it the foundation for a strong Pakistan-China cooperation in civil nuclear power projects.
The prime minister said Pakistan has put in place a reliable nuclear power project and it was being ensured that all these projects fully complied with the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He added all future nuclear power plants are also being constructed under the same guidelines.
The premier said three nuclear power projects were already operational and were providing less expensive electricity.
Abbasi pointed that it was a matter of satisfaction that K-2 and K-3 power plants in Karachi were being completed at a fast pace, and would provide less expensive and clean energy. He said Pakistan was proud to indigenously operate the plants under the Karachi Nuclear Power Project for four decades without any foreign assistance.
In addition, the prime minister lauded the contributions of the PAEC in power generation, health and agriculture. He said Pakistan earned precious foreign exchange through cotton crop while 18 cancer hospitals were providing quality healthcare to people.
