Umar Ayub says CPEC contributing to Pakistan’s energy independence, Mushahid terms CPEC as national strategic project
Ashraf Ansari
Speakers at a diverse and distinguished audience from including China and Pakistan, organized by Pakistan-China Institute along with Power China, lauded CPEC as the “economic future of Pakistan” and termed CPEC as a “success story”. The function was organized at a local hotel to present Report on Energy Projects of CPEC including a specific one on the first power project, the Port Qasim Power Project of 1320 MW. Speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser was the Chief Guest while Umar Ayub, Minister for Energy was Guest of Honour who made a keynote speech along with Ambassador Yao Jing, Chairman of Pakistan China Institute, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Sher Ali Arbab, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, President of Power-China Resources, Du Chunguo as well as Sun Jianli from Power-China Headquarters, Beijing.
The NA Speaker Asad Qaiser appreciated the efforts of Power-China for promoting of CPEC and development of energy infrastructure in Pakistan, stating in clear term that the “Parliament of Pakistan fully supports CPEC and, InshaAllah, we will take it forward, including the second phase started with the Rashakai Special Economic Zone, whose ground breaking is scheduled in December 2019.” He also announced that the National Assembly will organize a seminar in December to discuss expansion of CPEC beyond Pakistan and China to Central Asia and he said that he had instructed the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC to initiate seminars in different parts of Pakistan.
Stating that “I am representative of China in Pakistan”, Asad Qaiser said that he would ask the Chinese friends to open up their market for Pakistanis especially in the field of agriculture. He also praised the positive role of Senator Mushahid Hussain in the promotion of CPEC.
Ambassador Yao Jing focused on the Phase-II of CPEC saying that Phase-I is already a “success story”. He also lauded the strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and China.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed thanked the Power-China for launching the first major CPEC power project at Port Qasim which gave employment opportunity to thousands and through their clean super critical technology, they are ensuring steps to safeguard the environment. Talking about his recent visit to the Port Qasim Power Plant, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the smoke emitted from Port Qasim Power Plant is white in colour unlike the other power plants smoke nearby whose is dark, which shows the effect on the environment. He said that Power-China had empowered Pakistan’s energy independence and the long standing issue of chronic energy shortages and load shedding had been controlled. He also termed CPEC as a guarantor for a better tomorrow and CPEC like Kashmir and nuclear issues, was above party lines. Sher Ali Arbab, MNA, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on CPEC referred to the proactive efforts of his committee to work in a bi-partisan manner to promote CPEC and he said that his committee included representatives from both the Government and the opposition.
Umar Ayub Khabn, Minister for Energy said that thanks to CPEC, Pakistan has become the gateway for energy and CPEC had added MW as well jobs which has generated hope and optimism in Pakistan. He also termed “CPEC as the corner stone of Pakistan-China relations” and he also talked about the vision of the government for becoming the green and clean energy provider for Pakistan which will help reduce the price of energy. Responding to Senator Mushahid Hussain’s comments about the role of his grandfather, President Ayub Khan in building Paksitan-China friendship, Umar Ayub said that 60 years ago, President Ayub Khan envisaged that Pakistan’s future was linked with China. Umar Ayub appreciated Power-China’s efforts for Pakistan’s energy independence.
The Chief Executive of Power-China, Mr. Du Chunguo and Mr. Sun Jianli thanked the government of Pakistan and Pakistan China Institute for this initiative and said that Power-China’s role in Pakistan’s energy development was strategic and they were also going to pursue other projects in Pakistan as well. On the occasion, the Power-China donated computers to the “House of Light” school in the suburb of Islamabad which is a school for poor rural children. The donation was received with appreciation by the representative of “House of Light” School, Ms. Shahla Rafi. A video of the Port Qasim Power Plant was also shown on this occasion and Speaker of the NA unveiled Power-China’s “Pakistan Sustainable Development Report” as well as two research reports prepared by the Pakistan China Institute on the Port Qasim Power Plant, on Exploring Socio-Economic Impact and the other on Exploring Environment effects.
