‘Regional links to alleviate economic woes’
Participants of a parliamentary delegation pose for a group picture after commemorating the 1st anniversary of the Karot Hydropower Project. Photo: Express
A parliamentary delegation visited the Karot Hydropower Project to commemorate its 1st, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) 10th anniversary.
The delegation was led by Pakistan-China Institute Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.
Pakistan-China Institute Executive Director Mustafa Hyder Sayed also accompanied the delegation.
According to a statement, this was the first of its kind cross-party parliamentary delegation to have visited the Karot Hydropower Project which included Senator Waleed Iqbal, Senator Taj Haider, Senator Sadia Abbasi, Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, and Senator Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo. Moreover, journalists, bloggers, and students were also a part of this delegation. `
The parliamentary delegation expressed admiration for the commitment of the Karot Hydropower Project to clean energy generation and its contribution to Pakistan's development agenda.
They also acknowledged the project's pivotal role in meeting the country's energy-increasing demands while addressing environmental concerns.
The delegation was welcomed by CSAIL CEO Wang Minsheng who delivered an introductory speech emphasising the significance of the Karot project and the operations under way to boost Pakistan's energy sector.
He said that the Karot Hydropower Project is the flagship project of CPEC, featuring sincere cooperation and mutual benefit between China and Pakistan. Explaining the project benefits, he said the project is expected to save about 1.4 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tons each year.
In an interview given to CCTV, Xinhua and Phoenix TV, the Head of the parliamentary delegation Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed appreciated the project team for the effective operation and maintenance of the Karot Hydropower Project.
Additionally, he emphasised the importance of CPEC as the backbone of Pakistan's economic growth – voicing optimism regarding the CPEC and regional connectivity to ensure course correction to lessen Pakistan’s dependency on IMF.
Senator Mushahid also appreciated the CSR initiatives taken by the 3 Gorges company, in which the company supported a 60-bed THQ Hospital in Kahutta, which serves 30,000 patients per month.
Mushahid said through CPEC and regional economic connectivity with Iran, Russia, Central Asian Republics and Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, Pakistan can bid goodbye to the IMF.
The Karot Project has been developed and sponsored by the China Three Gorges South Asian Investment Limited (CSAIL), the investment arm of China Three Gorges Corporation managing investments in Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 20th, 2023.