ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has invited Shanghai Electric to expand its investment in modernising Pakistan’s transmission and distribution network.
He extended the invitation during a meeting with Wu Lei, Chairman of Shanghai Electric, at the company’s headquarters in Shanghai on Monday. President Zardari later toured the company’s facilities.
Aseefa Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla accompanied him. Chairman Wu Lei briefed the president on the company’s projects in Pakistan, including its work in Thar coal, nuclear energy, and coal-fired power plants.
President Zardari thanked Shanghai Electric for its contribution to meeting Pakistan’s energy needs, creating employment opportunities, and supporting socio-economic development. He underscored the importance of the Thar coal project, highlighting its potential for coal gasification, and invited further investment in Pakistan’s power sector.
He assured the company that any outstanding issues would be resolved amicably and in a spirit of cooperation. The company’s CEO expressed appreciation for the security arrangements provided for its employees in Pakistan. In response, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening security measures to ensure a safe and conducive environment for Chinese workers in the country.
During the visit, the president was also briefed on Shanghai Electric’s history and achievements. Established in 1902, the company is one of China’s leading equipment manufacturers, renowned globally for its innovations in energy, power, and industrial systems.
On the occasion, President Zardari also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a Coal Gasification Plant in Thar, Sindh. The MoU was signed between MFTC Coal Gasification & Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, represented by CEO Shahid Tawawalla, and Sino Sindh Resources (Pvt) Ltd/Shanghai Electric, represented by CEO Lin Jigen.
This will be the first coal gasification and fertilizer project based on Thar coal, aimed not only at addressing the country’s energy needs but also at supporting the agriculture sector.
Sindh Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon, Sindh P&D and Energy Minister Syed Nasir Shah, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi were also present. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari visited the memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai on Monday.
He was accompanied by Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Located in Shanghai’s historic French Concession, the memorial preserves the site where the CPC held its founding congress in July 1921.
President Zardari toured the original shikumen-style building and the adjoining exhibition hall showcasing historical relics and documents. The President appreciated the preservation of the site, saying that it offers valuable insight into the early struggles that shaped modern China.
The memorial is recognised as a national cultural heritage site and is among Shanghai’s leading historical landmarks. Those present on the occasion included Senator Saleem Mandviwalla; Sharjeel Memon, Sindh Minister for Information and Transport Syed Nasir Shah, Sindh Minister for P&D and Energy; China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong; and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi. Meanwhile, Vice President of the China-Africa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hao called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Shanghai.