BEIJING: The ongoing construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is undoubtedly one of the largest endeavors for socio- economic development of Pakistan.
Chinese news agency Xinhua says in a special report on the projects, said roads, energy projects, industrial parks and the Gwadar port are all included in the basket, satisfying Pakistan's immediate needs as well as helping it get back on its feet after years of anti-terror campaigns.
The report said the project is yielding its early fruits as new roads and power plants have put Pakistan's growth in the first gear.
It said the Bin Qasim power plant is one of the pioneer and flagship projects of CPEC to be operated at the end of next year. The Pakistani government hopes the plant would significantly cut power shortage.
For the coal-fired plant built by PowerChina, the Chinese construction company commissioned to undertake the construction of the project, two 660-megawatt generator units will be installed, which would generate 1,320 megawatts of electricity.
Xinhua said operation of the first phase of a Chinese wind farm is already in full swing. Thirty-three windmills erected by China Three Gorges Corporation churned out 140 million kwh of electricity last year, powering 60,000 families in the region.