17,000MW to be generated under CPEC energy projects, Senate told
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ISLAMABAD:The Senate was informed on Wednesday that energy projects with a total capacity of 17,045 megawatts will be taken up under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This was stated by the Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal while responding to a question during Questions Hour in the Upper House.
He said that projects with a capacity of 1,110 megawatt based on research and scientific analysis are on the advanced staged.
The Minister said that Chinese experts are undertaking studies to fund hydel projects on River Indus like Diamer-Bhasha, Bunji, and other projects. He said that in principal China has agreed to fund hydel projects on River Indus.
To a question, Ahsan Iqbal said that a project with a capacity of 300 megawatt has been approved in Gwadar and work on this will be started as soon as Balochistan Government provides land for this purpose.
Minister for Energy Awais Khan Leghari dispelled the impression that China is tilting towards India regarding China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Giving Ministerial response to a matter of public importance, he said that CPEC is a part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and a bilateral project between Pakistan and China and no third country can be made part of it.
He, however, said that this project will usher in an era of development in Pakistan and the region and other countries can also benefit dividends of this initiative.
Regarding another matter of public importance, Awais Khan Leghari said that there is no ban on further adding on renewable energy projects in Pakistan. Answering a question, Minister of State for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal informed the House that inflation has come down from 4.16 to 3.75 percent during July to December last year due to prudent policies of the present government.
Minister for Privatization Danial Aziz has said that the government has issued instructions to immediate release of about 11,000 imported vehicles to ensure their prompt delivery to customers.
He was responding to a calling attention notice moved by Senator Murtaza Wahab and others regarding delay in supply of new cars, which is promoting black marketing.
He said that car dealers have also issued instructions that non delivery of vehicles beyond two months will result in compensation at the time of the delivery for a number of months to check delay in delivery of already booked vehicles.APP/AFP
