ISLAMABAD: The Karot hydropower project at the border of Kahuta district and Kotli in Azad Kashmir was not only supplying over 720 megawatt electricity to the national grid but also providing social uplift opportunities for the locals.

The project built by CSAIL, a subsidiary of Three Gorges Corporation (CTGO), of China will be transferred to the Punjab government after 30 years in June 2053 at Rs1.

However, it has been proven to be a blessing for the remote and isolated area at both sides of river Jhelum, including Karot in Kahuta district, Punjab and Kotli district of AJK, in terms of various development projects under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) law.

Led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman Pakistan-China Institute, a parliamentary delegation visited the Karot hydropower project to commemorate the first anniversary of its power production.

The delegation was briefed by Wang Minsheng, CEO of CSAIL, it had benefited more than 700,000 families in both the districts through health education and infrastructure projects.

Mr Wang said the company supported a 60-bed THQ hospital at Kahuta, that was serving more than 30,000 patients per month, in addition to various schools, access roads and other infrastructure for the local communities.

While around 150 locals have been employed in the project and the company has sponsored engineering studies to 33 local students and they have been employed in the Karot project.

He highlighted that three bridges across the river Jhelum had been built and mobile connectivity too had reached the area.

Senator Sayed said the Karot hydropower project was flagship project of CPEC and the first large-scale hydropower project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

He added that the visit also celebrated the 10 years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the 10 years of BRI.

The delegation included Senators Waleed Iqbal, Taj Haider, Sadia Abbasi, Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, Rukhsana Zuberi, MNA Mohammed Daha, Senator Pir Sabir Shah and Senator Mohammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo.

Counsellor Bao Zhong from the Chinese embassy said with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life in the two countries, the Karot project had made remarkable achievements.

She said: “China is willing to work with Pakistan to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2023