Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has succeeded in persuading Dong Fong Electricity Company of China to resume work on Nandipur power project. In this connection, a lengthy meeting was held between Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Chairman Dong Fong Electricity Company Si Zefu and senior officials of the company in Beijing on Friday in which Dong Fong Electricity Company expressed willingness to restart work on Nandipur power project.
The company has also directed its engineers to reach Pakistan next Monday for this purpose. Nandipur power project would generate 450 megawatt electricity. It may be mentioned that due to undue delay by PPP government, the Chinese experts had returned to their country while machinery for the project worth millions of rupees was rusting at Karachi port.
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has been strongly criticising the federal government over non-implementation of the project. Chairman Dong Fong Electricity Company Si Zefu said he during a meeting with President Zardari in June 2011 had told him that an injustice was being committed by delaying the project and it would cause heavy losses to both the sides. The Chief Minister assured the Chinese authorities that they would find the government completely transparent and determined.
Expressing views during his meetings with Chinese investors in Beijing, the CM said Pakistan had a bright future and there were vast opportunities of investment in the country. He said the existing problems were temporary and would soon be overcome. Shahbaz said he would personally play host to Chinese investors in Pakistan, adding that priority would be given to joint collaboration and co-operation with Chinese investors in infrastructure and energy sectors.