Bin Qasim power project to be completed by 2017
Karachi, Pakistan: Bin Qasim power project will be completed by 2017.
This was indicated in a briefing given to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
on Monday during his inspection visit to 1320MW coal-fired Bin Qasim power project.
and directed for ensuring its completion by December 2017.
It may be mentioned that Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, soon after receiving Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif here Monday morning, reached National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), for medical check-up and did not attend meeting at Port Qasim.
Sindh CM House said in a statement that:
“While waiting for the Prime Minister at the airport, noticed sudden and unusual surge in his heart beat. It was therefore decided that instead of accompanying the PM to
Port Qasim, as per schedule, he would undergo essential assessment, a CM House official said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah stayed at NICVD for around one and a half hour and following required tests left for CM House”
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif directed Chinese authorities to take steps for making it completely functional by the deadline of December 31, 2017.
He assured the Chinese engineers that the Government of Pakistan was fully supporting the development projects.
He said the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan was also giving fully support to the workforce at the site.
The Prime Minister was briefed that the project, costing a total of $1.5 billion, would comprise two power houses, each generating 660MW of power which would be added to the
national grid after their completion.
The Prime Minister had last year laid foundation of the project which is a part of the Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
The Chinese authorities expressed their satisfaction over the security situation and the support, given by the Government of Pakistan.
They told that first tranche of $200 million had already been released for the project while international standards were observed for completion of the project.
Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir and Minister for Water, Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong and other high officials accompanied the Prime Minister.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was given a briefing on Port Qasim Authority projects including existence of 250 industries set up in its allocated zone, besides 8 operational terminals.
The Port Qasim is the most busy and income generating port in the country, contributing immensely to the national economy.
It was informed that an LNG terminal was also made operational within record period of eleven months, converting the LNG into gas.
The government has been working on LNG power projects which would generate about 3600 MW power.
