LAHORE, Dec 16: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi on Saturday directed the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development Company to provide 500 acres to a Chinese firm at government rates to establish a 500-megawatt power plant.

Mr Elahi said that the China National Power Limited should immediately be given a no-objection certificate and asked the Sui Northern Pipeline administration to provide gas supply to the Faisalabad Industrial Estate on a priority basis so that it could be developed soon.

The chief minister had invited Chinese investors for investment in Punjab during his recent visit to China, offering them 500 acres in the Faisalabad Industrial Estate. In response, the China National Power Limited showed interest in investing $100 million in Punjab.

Separately, talking to a delegation of members of the Provincial Assembly, he said industrialisation had started in the province and a large number of local, foreign and multi-national investors had shown interest in establishing industry here. This would provide jobs to unemployed youth in the province, he said.