Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said Pak-China Economic Corridor project is a splendid gift of the Chinese government for people of Pakistan. Infrastructure, transport as well as energy projects are included in the economic corridor. He said by signing agreements of billions of dollars in the economic corridor project China has once again given the message that it wants to extend all out help to Pakistan in overcoming energy crisis.
The economic corridor will result in further strengthening of friendship as well as open up new avenues of economic co-operation between Pakistan and China.
The Chief Minister said there are vast opportunities of economic co-operation between Pakistan and Chinese province on the border of Pakistan, trade and investment can be promoted through utilising Silk and other routes.
In an interview to a prominent Chinese newspaper, the Chief Minister said China through investment of billions of dollars has proved to be a true and sincere friend of Pakistan.
The Punjab government has set up a 100-megawatt solar project in a record time which is the first and a unique project in Pakistan's history, this power project in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur will result in bringing some relief in the energy crisis.
The Chinese companies have made several agreements of power generation through coal, hydle and other sources in Pakistan. The Chief Minister thanked Chinese President, Prime Minister, government and the people of China for extending full assistance to Pakistan in energy sector as well as signing investment agreements.
Several Chinese companies are working in different sectors in Pakistan especially Punjab and the recent agreements of investment of billions of dollars will take Pak-China friendship to new heights, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan is facing serious energy crisis and shortage of power has affected Punjab the most.
The provincial government is working expeditiously on hydle, coal, wind, solar, gas and other projects of power generation through alternative sources. A solid proposal to import electricity through transmission line from China is also under consideration.
The Chief Minister said that China has emerged as the second biggest economic power in the world and its foreign exchange reserves are four trillion dollars. Pakistan wants to benefit from Chinese technology and expertise.