China to sign $20b energy projects: CM

LAHORE
Senior officials of big investment companies of public and private sectors of China called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to discuss investment in Pakistan particularly in Punjab in energy, transport, infrastructure and other sectors.
According to a handout on Saturday, the chief minister said that the visit of the Chinese president to Pakistan was of historic importance. “Besides a splendid project of the Pak-China economic corridor, the visit will also accelerate under-completion projects with the cooperation of China in Pakistan. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, China is going to announce such big economic projects for Pakistan,” he added. The chief minister said it was to the credit of the president and the prime minister of China and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif for launching big Chinese projects for the economic development of Pakistan. He said that everlasting relation was writing a new history of economic cooperation and the visit of the Chinese president to Islamabad was of great importance in the regard.
He said that due to the visit of the Chinese president, a new era of development and economic cooperation would start in Pakistan and the PML-N government would remove darkness from the country with the cooperation of the sincerest friend. He said that the journey of development and prosperity would be completed with hard work and commitment. Shahbaz Sharif said that during the visit of the Chinese president, agreements of $20 billion would be signed only in the energy sector. “There is no example of such an extraordinary investment in the history of Pakistan and the agreements are unique. A coal-based energy project in Sahiwal is a revolutionary step in the energy sector in Pakistan. The 1,320megawatt coal-based power plant by Chinese companies in Sahiwal will prove a milestone in eliminating the energy crisis,” he added.
He said the power plant in Sahiwal would start generating electricity by the end of 2017. He said that China had supported the government for the development and progress of the country and it would fully benefit from the technology, experience and expertise of China.
Chinese team: Tang Lianghzi, Mayor of Chengdu, China, along with his delegation travelled from Ittefaq Station to Minar-e-Pakistan Station in a metro bus.
DCO Lahore Usman Younas also accompanied them. According to a handout on Saturday, the DCO apprised the Chinese mayor of the metro bus project, historical buildings around the metro corridor including MAO College, Civil Secretariat, Government College University and Data Darbar. The Chinese mayor appreciated the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for providing modern and comfortable travelling facilities to the people and said that his devotion and efficiency for the development of the province was laudable.
Tang Lianghzi along with his delegation visited the Badshahi Masjid, Lahore Fort and Lahore Museum. Commissioner Abdullah Sumbal, Secretary Auqaf Sheharyar Sultan and other government officers were also present. The Auqaf Secretary informed the delegation about the historical background and importance of the Badshahi Masjid.
Later, during a visit to Lahore Museum, Director Sumaira Samad gave a detailed briefing to the delegation about the museum and its relics. Members of the delegation evinced special interest in the historical pieces. Later, the mayor attended a luncheon at Governor’s House.