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China, Pakistan sign two mega CPEC projects in 10 days
by Bilal Sabri
ISLAMABAD,July 8(Gwadar Pro)–The friendship between Pakistan and China is higher than the mountains,deeper than the ocean,stronger than steel and sweeter than honey,which is not just a slogan.
The world has seen its manifestation many a times.A current example of the friendship can be seen from the fact that Pakistan and China have signed two mega hydropower projects linked with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC)in the past 10 days.
Amid the fight against the deadly virus,Pakistan and its trusted friend have achieved a major breakthrough in power sector by signing the 700.7 MW Azad Pattan Hydropower and 1,124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project in a blink of an eye.
The developments were so important for Pakistan that Prime Minister himself witnessed the signing of project agreements for the Azad Pattan Hydropower on July 6.“Electricity and economy are critically linked to each other,”the premier said while applauding the role of CPEC in the development of Pakistan’s economy and in the energy sector.
The Azad Pattan Hydropower Project–a clean and green form of electricity–would not only benefit China and Pakistan but the entire region,PM Imran said while assuring government’s full support for the completion of the project in a timely manner.
The signing of the two mega CPEC-based hydropower projects will accelerate development activities in the country and provide jobs to people and business opportunities during its construction periods.
Moreover,after the completion of construction work,tourism activities around reservoir,lake and water sports,fishing would become avenues for earning valuable revenue.
Azad Pattan project is a run-off-the river scheme on river Jhelum located at dual boundary between Azad Jammu&Kashmir(AJ&K)’s district Bagh and Punjab’s district Rawalpindi and the power house comprises of four turbines having combined design discharge of 1260 cumec and gross head 64 meter.
The project will not only add power to the national grid but it will be transferred to the AJ&K government after 30 years free of cost as it is being implemented on built,own,operate and transfer(BOOT)basis.
It is pertinent to mention that the project will bring in US$1.35 billion valuable foreign direct investment in Pakistan and generate cheap and clean energy of about 3,265 GWh per year to the national grid by 2027.
Earlier on June 25,2020,PM Imran along with the PM of AJ&K,Raja Farooq Haider,Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan,Yao Jin,and the Chairman CPEC Authority,Lt.Gen(R)Asim Saleem Bajwa,witnessed the signing ceremony of the project agreements of 1124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project.
A tripartite agreement was signed between a Chinese company and the governments of Pakistan and China for construction of a 1,124 megawatt hydropower project in Kohala costing$2.4 billion.The project is Pakistan’s largest power sector investment in a single Independent Power Producer(IPP)till date.
Interestingly,the project is also being built on River Jhelum in AJ&K under CPEC and has been awarded to Kohala Hydropower Company Ltd,a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation(CTG).
It is needless to say here that the projects will definitely pave the way for prosperity in Pakistan and soon people themselves would start witnessing the true essence and depth of the companionship of Pak-China friendship through its practical demonstration in the shape of CPEC projects.
（Editor:Fu Bo）
Source：Xinhua
Release Time：2020-07-08 09:43:28
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