BAHAWALPUR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday laid the foundation stone of the country's first solar power project in Bahawalpur, DawnNews reported.

During the ceremony, the premier said that Sino-Pak friendship was exemplary, adding that the views of the Chinese ambassador on the two countries' cooperation were welcome.

He further said that the joint ventures between Pakistan and China would benefit both countries.

Premier Sharif said the support of the residents of Bahawalpur was unforgettable in making the project a possibility and also congratulated his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif, who is the chief minister of Punjab, for serving the people day in and day out.

He said the output of the solar power plant would reach 1,000 megawatts in the next two and a half years.

Sharif added that 10 power projects were also being set up in Thar.

On the criticism against his government, Prime Minister Sharif said he had faced similar criticisms while launching the motorway project during his previous tenure.

Sharif further said that since the country's inception 65 years ago Pakistan had established power projects amounting only to 23,000 MW.

He said he had yet to determine what had taken place in the country for the past 15-20 years.

Speaking about other development projects in the country, the premier said that railway tracks would be laid down between Gwadar and northern areas of the country.

Sharif said Gwadar would be made a free port city and a state of the art airport would also be established in the area.

The premier also said that women have to play their role in the development of the country.

On the country's power crisis, he said that although he could not give a time-frame to end the prevailing load-shedding in the country, the crisis would end before the current government completes its tenure.

"I have a relationship of trust with the people and cannot mislead the masses." he said.