Kashgar-Gwadar project “a game changer” for whole region: Sharif

Published July 7, 2013
Regarding the Pak-China economic corridor, the Prime Minister said that both the countries attached high importance to its execution, adding, “this is the biggest project which starts from Gwadar to Kashgar.” - File photo
Regarding the Pak-China economic corridor, the Prime Minister said that both the countries attached high importance to its execution, adding, “this is the biggest project which starts from Gwadar to Kashgar.” - File photo

GUANGZHOU: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday asked a prominent Chinese company to provide suggestions and assistance in curbing power line losses, theft and pilferage in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister who arrived here this morning during the third phase of his five-day official visit, held a meeting with the president of China Southern Power Grid (CSG) Zhao Jianguo.

Sharif told him that they were working on building power plants based upon coal, solar and wind resources, adding that Pakistan was blessed with abundant water resources and coal reservoirs to generate energy.

Jianguo agreeing with the request said that proper management and supervision coupled with application of stringent laws could help reduce this menace.

To a question posed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, he said that in China, the line losses had been slashed down from six per cent to one per cent.

Regarding the Pak-China economic corridor, the Prime Minister said that both the countries attached high importance to its execution, adding, “this is the biggest project which starts from Gwadar to Kashgar.”

Sharif pointed out that the corridor would be highly beneficial not only for Pakistan and China but also for the whole region and for the three billion people inhabiting it.

The Prime Minister said that they were working on this project as this would be “a game changer” for them as far as the whole region was concerned.

Sharif further informed Jianguo that Pakistan was facing an acute shortage of power, and energy was one of their main problems, but still they were determined to get it resolved as soon as possible. They had inherited this problem as the previous government did not pay much attention in this area, he said, adding, that to overcome the issue, they had taken a number of steps.

He said that he had also discussed energy and other projects during his meetings with the Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

The CSG is ranked 150 among a conglomerate of 500 Fortune companies. It also provides electricity to 33 million people and generates 1 million MW of power.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

More pledges
Updated 25 May, 2024

More pledges

There needs to be continuity in economic policies, while development must be focused on bringing prosperity to the masses.
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...
IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...