BEIJING: Leading Chinese companies during official visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China have shown their keen interest to invest in Pakistan’s solar, water and other infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister invited Chinese corporate heads to visit Pakistan and invest in government’s comprehensive solar power project aimed at generating 10,000 megawatt electricity, PM Office said. He encouraged Chinese investment in Pakistan’s alternative energy resources including wind turbine power plants. Shehbaz Sharif stressed early completion of infrastructure of Gwadar International Airport to which Chinese companies assured to complete project by beginning of year 2023.

He in a meeting with Chinese investors and businessmen said government since assuming power in April had resolved several issues pertaining to them and had paid them pending dues of Rs 160 billion. An amount of Rs 50 billion has been paid to them yesterday, he added.

He said a revolving fund had been established by State Bank of Pakistan on directive of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar with a seed money of Rs 50 billion. He regretted obstacles faced by Chinese companies in past on matters concerning payment of imported coal. He vowed addressing on priority issues relating to land acquisition for construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam and other hurdles in way to completion of Mohmand Dam.

He assured provision of foolproof security to Chinese personnel working in Pakistan and said that an across-the-board security would be ensured for those deputed on China Pakistan Economic Corridor project and other joint initiatives.

He thanked Chinese companies in taking special interest in Pakistan’s development projects particularly Gwadar Port, Main Line-1 railway track and several other projects.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 03 2022

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