LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the second unit of Sahiwal Coal Power Project having a capacity of 660MW in Sahiwal on Monday. Addressing a ceremony held in connection with the inauguration of the 2nd unit of the coal power plant, the chief minister said that the completion of the 1,320MW project in a record time of 22 months was a great achievement. “The project has set a new example of transparency, determination, enthusiasm and diligent work. Shahbaz said that it was the first power project completed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that the project was completed seven month prior to its scheduled completion in December. The Sahiwal Coal Power Project is first mega initiative of the CPEC which has been playing a wonderful role in strengthening of national economy, he said. He went on to say that work on other CPEC-related projects of CPEC was underway under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The chief minister thanked Chinese leadership, including Chinese president, prime minister, Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Huaneng Group, Ruyi Group and other officials concerned for their support in completion of 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Project. Earlier, the chief minister inspected different sections of 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Project. He along with Chinese official inspected the process of supply of coal to the power plant. The chief minister met engineers and workers and said that they had done a wonderful job. The chief minister said that the journey of development would be continued despite all odds. He said that some elements were trying to create hindrance in the development process but the conscious people of Pakistan had rejected their negative politics. He said that a new record of transparency was being set up in the development projects, which had helped government save billions of rupees. He alleged that the previous government had looted national resources ruthlessly, while the incumbent government was spending every penny in a transparent way. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali, National Energy Administration administrator and senior officials of Chinese companies were also present on the occasion. Published in Daily Times, July 4th , 2017.