The Chinese companies have assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of early completion of the infrastructure of New Gwadar International Airport by the beginning of year 2023.
The China-funded airport is one of the flagship projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The $230 million worth of project fully funded by the Chinese government is located in the Gurandani area. It was launched in 2019. It covers an area of 18 square kilometers, making it the second-largest airport in Pakistan.
This construction project, managed by the China Airport Construction Group, comprises 32 components, including runways, taxiways, aprons, a terminal, and airport support infrastructure, utilities, and facilities.
Shehbaz, who embarked on his maiden China visit after taking the office of PM in April, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and investors. He is heading a high-level delegation, including federal ministers, special assistants as well as the Sindh chief minister.
The premier is among the first world leaders to visit China following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that re-elected Xi as the party’s general secretary last month.
The leading Chinese companies have shown their keen interest to invest in Pakistan’s solar, water, and other infrastructure projects, the PM Office said on Wednesday.
PM Shehbaz invited the Chinese corporate heads to visit Pakistan and invest in the government’s comprehensive solar power project aimed at generating 10,000 mega watt electricity during a meeting.
He also encouraged Chinese investment in Pakistan’s alternative energy resources including wind turbine power plants.
Shehbaz said the government since assuming power in April had resolved “several issues pertaining to them” and had paid them the pending dues of Rs160 billion. An amount of Rs50 billion was paid to them yesterday [Tuesday], he added.
“He said a revolving fund had been established by the State Bank of Pakistan on the directives of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar with seed money of Rs50 billion,” said the statement, “PM Shehbaz regretted the obstacles faced by the Chinese companies in the past on the matters concerning the payment of imported coal.”
He vowed to address on a priority basis the issues relating to the land acquisition for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam and “other hurdles” in the way to the completion of Mohmand Dam.
Shehbaz assured of foolproof security to the Chinese personnel working in Pakistan, saying that “across-the-board security” would be ensured for those deputed on the CPEC project and other joint initiatives.
He extended condolences over the death of Chinese men and women who lost their lives while at work in Pakistan.
To address water shortages in Pakistan’s metropolitan Karachi, the prime minister said the federal government along with the Sindh government was ready to collaborate with the Chinese companies to resolve the issue.
The prime minister expressed confidence that strong business and investment linkages between Pakistan and China would lead to the further cementing of bilateral relations.
He thanked the Chinese companies for taking a special interest in Pakistan’s development projects particularly the Gwadar Port, Main Line-1 railway track, and several other projects.
He also expressed gratitude for the generous support extended by China in the wake of massive flash floods in Pakistan.
