ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is blessed with many natural resources such as mountains, rivers and streams and can overcome its energy crisis by installing hydel power projects, said Korean Ambassador Kwak Sung-Kyu.

Speaking to media persons on Thursday during a farewell ceremony for four Pakistani government officers, who were leaving to get education in Korea under the Korea International Cooperation Agency. The ambassador said the Korean government wants to enhance relations with the Pakistani government.

He said Korean investors are working in four hydel power projects including three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The ambassador said CPEC is very beneficial for Pakistan and will help in the country’s economic development.

Asked if Korea will invest in CPEC projects, he said: “We can consider investing in projects along the CPEC route and we can think about projects in Gwadar and Port Qasim”.

The ambassador wished the Pakistani officials leaving for scholarship programmes the best and said these programmes will strengthen respective areas such as the local government system, urban development, energy, policy and will improve industry and trade between the countries. He added that this will be a unique experience for the officials.

AJK Local Government Department Assistant Director Tehniat Shafique will attend Yonsei University for a master’s in Community Development, Ministry of Commerce and Textile Deputy Director Mohammad Salman Jamil has been enrolled at Chung-Ang University for a master’s in Urban Development Policy, Ministry of Power Section Officer Mohammad Farhan Ullah Khan will do a master’s in Energy Science and Policy in Ajou University while Trade Development Authority Deputy Director Khurram Ikram is for a master’s in Industry and Trade Policy at Kyung Hee University.

“I am glad I was given the opportunity of going to Korea to study as it will help me with my career. A village movement in South Korea played a major role in rural development,” said Tehniat Shafique.

Mohammad Farhan Ullah Khan said he will keep in mind the issues being faced by the Pakistani energy sector during his stay in Korea and will learn from the Koreans who are self-sufficient in the energy sector.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2018