Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif has termed the feasibilities being conducted by the Chinese side on Indus River cascade as part of recently signed MoU between the two countries, a major leap toward tapping indigenous hydel resources and a big achievement which will not only cater for electricity requirements of the country but also provide life line to the CPEC in the long run.
He expressed these views in a meeting with Chinese high-powered delegation led by Administrator National Energy Administration (NEA) Nur Bekri at delegation level talks at the Ministry of Water and Power here on Tuesday, says a press release.
The Minister for Water and Power while underscoring the importance of tapping hydel potential of Pakistan said Chinese expertise in the development of hydel projects could be best utilized by developing mega hydel projects on Indus River. He said that during last visit of the Prime Minister the conversion of study into a formal MoU for chalking out ways and means to finance and built these projects is a welcome step.
The minister said that exemplary close contact between the Ministry of Water and Power and NEA were paying its dividends in the shape of development of energy projects with smooth and reasonable pace. He said that even now when the high powered delegation of NEA was visiting Pakistan, high officials of the Ministry were in China to continue the close liaison.
While warmly welcoming the Chinese delegation, Asif said that relations between Pakistan and China had reached to new dimensions, adding relations between the two countries were further fostering with each passing day. The tremendous success of CPEC is the indication that the relations have reached to new heights. He specially appreciated the close cooperation in the field of energy between the two countries.
Asif also suggested during the meeting to keep continue with expert level committee at different level to remains constantly in touch during all phases of projects completion so that all other pre-requisites for power projects are synchronized.
Nur Bekri thanked the Pakistan side for according warm welcome to his delegation. He termed the two countries best neighbours, best friends and best brothers. He said that the decision to take off CPEC was right decision at right time by both counties since it is bearing fruits as per the expectations. He specially mentioned the Ministry of Water and Power and its various entities for facilitating the Chinese investors in different phases of setting up of their projects.-PR