Sindh government decides to revive Keti Bander project

Author: By Ahmed A Channa

KARACHI: The Sindh government has finally decided to revive Keti Bander project along with installation of 10,000 MW coal-fired power plant.

“This was the dream of my leader Benazir Bhutto and my government is committed to realise her dream,” said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah during a meeting with Chinese delegation at the Chief Minister House.

China-Pakistan Association President Sha Zukang, who is also senior adviser of China Institute for International Strategic Studies led the Chinese delegation.

The chief minister said that Keti Bander is a natural port and very close to Thar coal field. “We are ready to lay railway line from Thar coal filed to Keti Bander to transport coal for coal-fired power plant,” he said and added that once the Keti Bander was a historical port of Sindh and was popular all over the world. Its account has been given in the travelogues of Arabian, European and Central Asian writers.

He said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was keen to revive Keti Bander port and to install a 10,000 MW coal-based power plant but it could not take place in her lifetime. “Now, my government has revived the project and we would take it up on public private partnership, Built Operate and Transfer (BoT) basis, whatever is agreed mutually,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese diplomat Sha Zukang, who was accompanied by his team and Chinese Consul General, said that the team of Sindh government led by Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Aijaz Ali Khan had held a detailed discussion with him and his team. “It is a fabulous and most attractive project and Chinese investors and their consortium would love to take it up.

He urged the Sindh government to make a detailed case of the Keti Bander project and send it to Chinese government through Chinese Consul General in Karachi for further negotiation.

The chief minister directed Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Aijaz Ali Khan to make the case under the guidance of Senior Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and send it to China after his approval. “But, this must be done at the earliest,” he directed.