ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs whirlwind visit to China would help in ushering a new era of development, prosperity and generating employment opportunities back in Pakistan.
The prime minister who will spend 72 hours in Chinese capital is awaited by hectic schedule along-with back-to-back meetings including one with Chinese President Xi Jinping while the other with his counterpart from China Li Kegiang during his stay.
Highly placed diplomatic sources told The News here yesterday that a number of memorandums of understanding (MOUs) would be inked between the two countries during the stay of the premier in Chinese capital including one historic trade corridor that would connect Pakistan with Central Asian States.
The visit would help enhancing bilateral trade, developing infrastructure, enhancing people to people contacts and addressing the issue of loadshedding in the country, the sources maintained.
The ties between Pakistan and China have always been exemplary. Energy is vitally important for the economy and this has remained on the top of the prime minister’s agenda, ever since he assumed power in June last year.
Both the countries take pride in their excellent political, strategic, cultural and defence ties, and it is important to build upon and continue this cooperation in these areas which would undoubtedly remain an integral part of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The signing of several MoUs reflects depth of bilateral relations between the two countries. Over 21 projects of generating 16,520MW with an estimated cost of around $33bn would bring substantial improvement in diverse sectors of the country after completion.
The important projects to be completed with the Chinese help include 1320MW Sino hydro Resource project, 2, 660MW Sahiwal coal fired project, 2,330MW Engro Thar Coal Fire Project, 1320MW each Muzaffargarh Coal Powers, Rahim Yar Khan, SSRL Thar coal projects and Thar Mine Mouth Oracle projects, 1000MW SSRL Thar Coal Block 6, 2640MW Gaddani Power Park Project, 300MW Gwadar Coal, 100MW Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, 50MW Dawood Wind Farm, 100MW UEP Wind Farm, 50MW Sachal Wind Farm, 50MW Sunnec wind farm, 870MW Suki Kinari Hydropower Station,720MW Karot Hydropower Station, etc.
The prime minister would sign agreement to construct 440km KKH II (Raiot-Islamabad section, Karachi-Lahore Motorway, Havelian dry port, Orange line Project of Lahore, Cross Border Optical Fiber Cable and Hari-Ruba Economic Zone, Sino-hydro Resource Limited and Al Mirqab Capital, etc.
The visit having special significance and an effort to control the damage done to country’s economy by twin so-called destructive sit-ins, would attract investment of over $46bn in the country.
It may be mentioned that the Chinese President Xi Jinping had to cancel his visit to Pakistan due to sit-ins — consequently the country had to endure losses of billion of rupees.
In last three months Pakistan has endured multiple economic losses. The visit would surely help controlling the damage done to country’s economy due to irresponsible politics. The visit is a sincere effort to attract much needed foreign investment for the country.
Both the countries are set to sign agreements to construct various roads, railway and other infrastructure development projects with the estimated cost of around $4bn.
Imternews
