Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that load-shedding is not the destiny of the people of Pakistan and the problem of shortage of electricity will be overcome with the grace of God and cooperation of friends like China.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that production of 5,000MW electricity would be started by 2017 with the completion of energy projects based on cooperation between Pakistan and China. He was talking to the senior authorities of Chinese investment companies, financial institutions, nation building departments and different ministries during meetings in Beijing on Wednesday.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal, Adviser to CM on Health Kh Salman Rafiq, Lahore Transport Company Chairman Kh Ahmad Hasaan and senior officials included in the Pakistani delegation were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that as a result of setting up of a committee under the chairmanship of Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, economic package would be implemented more speedily. He said that Pakistan and China have same point of view over various international issues. He added that Chinese investors supplying electricity would not have to face delay in payments as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has resolved the issue of circular debt by providing special funds.

He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the joint vision of leaderships of the two countries and the visit of Chinese President to Pakistan has given this message to the world that no power can harm Pak-China friendship. He further said that mutual relations between Pakistan and China have turned into useful economic contacts and this friendship is strengthening with the passage of time.

CM Shahbaz said that people of Pakistan are proud of their friendship with China, as it has given economic package of billions of rupees to Pakistan in difficult times. He added that the problem of load-shedding will be resolved with the cooperation of China.

Meanwhile, senior authorities of Chinese company Sinosure assured Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Beijing that all-out cooperation will be extended in the timely completion of energy projects and there will be no shortage of funds for under-completion projects in Pakistan with the cooperation of China.

Federal Minister for Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal while talking to the authorities of National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing said that Pakistan wants completion of energy projects of at least 5,000MW by the end of 2017. He said that besides production of energy, the projects of electricity supply are equally important. He said that China has written a new history of mutual cooperation through economic package.

Meanwhile, CM Shahbaz has taken notice of the news of molestation of children in Rahim Yar Khan and surrounding areas and sought a report from DPO Rahim Yar Khan. He ordered the concerned authorities that criminals involved in the incident be arrested immediately and action should be taken according to the law. He said that criminals will not escape the law and justice will be provided to the affected families at any cost.