Years old issue: Chinese investment to tackle energy crisis, says PM

Expresses hope that German companies too will invest in energy sector

LONDON: Terming the pledged over $40 billion Chinese investment as a "milestone" in the history of Pak-China relations, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday it would help address the years old energy crisis in Pakistan.

Talking to the media upon his arrival from Berlin, the prime minister also set aside the impression that the investment from China was a loan, saying, "It is not a loan, but Chinese investment, which would benefit Pakistan a lot and further strengthen Pak-China ties."

During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif will inaugurate the Pakistan-UK Energy Dialogue and Investment Conference to be held on Thursday (today) in London.

The moot will focus on assisting Pakistan in seeking investment in addressing its energy needs through sharing expertise and best practices.

PM Nawaz was appreciative of the Chinese government for their decision to make such a huge investment to help Pakistan meet its energy requirements.

He was confident that the years old energy crisis would be resolved during the current tenure of PML-N government.

He regretted that some elements do not want to see these issues resolved by the PML-N government. But these elements would be left behind and the country would move forward, he remarked.

The prime minister termed his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as positive and hoped that German companies would also make investment in Pakistan's energy sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2014.