KARACHI: Federal Mini­ster for Maritime Affairs Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo on Monday approved power and desalination plants for Gwadar Free Economic Zone (GFEZ).

The minister took the decision in a meeting with China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) Chairman, Zhang Baozhong; and Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Dost Khan Jamal Deni.

Under a plan prepared by the COPHC and GPA, a desalination plant with a capacity of five million gallons per day and a 30MW power plant would be set-up in Gwadar.

Giving his approval, the minister said that Gwadar city had been suffering badly due to acute shortage of potable water and power.

He hoped the desalination plant would improve the situation considerably once it is functional.

Mr Bizenjo further said that since concerned departments do not have any plans for overcoming the issues of water and power at Gwadar Port and within the city, GPA has been authorised by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take up these projects on an immediate basis.

He directed GPA to take up the desalination plant and power project at the earliest with the concerned provincial departments for onward distribution of water to Gwadar city and free zone.

He informed the participants that the power plant for Gwadar city would be completed in three years.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2017