PM Nawaz inaugurates Sahiwal Coal Power Project

SAHIWAL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the first unit of the 1320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Project.

The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant has two units each having a capacity of 660 megawatts. It is the first project completed under the CPEC project.

On the occasion, Chinese engineers briefed the prime minister on the project.

The power plant has already been connected with the national grid. The plant will produce electricity at a cost of Rs8.11 per unit power.

The prime minister had laid the foundation stone of the project on May 30, 2014.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said people will distinguish between the negative and corrupt elements and those, who delivered.

The PM said his government's performance would wash away all the baseless allegations by the opposition, which was impeding nothing but the country's progress.

Criticizing his political opponents, he said they are attempting to obstruct the country's progress rather than impeding or attempting to foil him.

The prime minister was accompanied by Punjab Governor Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana, Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq and Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali.

Ambassador of China in Pakistan Sun Weidong was also present on the occasion.

 He lauded Chinese and Pakistani engineers and other staff for early completion of the first unit of total capacity of 1320 megawatt, the project comprises two coal-based power plants of 660MW each.

This is one of the early harvest projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) completed in a record 22 months period, six months ahead of the prescribed schedule.

He said the government had planned to allocate a record budget for development works in next fiscal year as the people would listen to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar delivering the annual budget speech in the National Assembly on Friday.

The prime minister remarked highly acknowledging the services of Punjab chief minister and his team. On the chief minster's recommendation, the prime minister also announced a one month bonus salary to all of the Chinese and Pakistani workers, who had been part of the project.