FPCCI welcomes CPEC deal to build hydel power project

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Mian Anjum Nisar has welcomed the Pakistan-China agreement for construction of Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project of 700MW of electricity, as part of the CPEC.

“FPCCI is hopeful that the project, located on River Jhelum, will be completed within its time frame in 2026 and will not be delayed like several other hydropower projects in the country,” he stated.

It’s good news for the public in general and business community in particular, as the new project would enable the country to move towards cheaper and greener power, inviting investment of $1.5 billion besides generating local job opportunities, he added.

Mian Anjum Nisar emphasized the importance of dams, stating that as much as 20 million acres of barren land can be brought under plow if the water is made available by developing water storage in the country.

He said that with the construction of dams, the country can strengthen its agriculture to attain food security and cope with the fast-growing needs of water in domestic and industrial sectors besides injecting sizeable low-cost hydroelectricity into the national grid to stabilize the national economy.

He endorsed the government future plan in this regard, as a summary is being moved by the Power Division to the Economic Coordination Committee for the approval of Kohala Hydropower Project, and Azad Pattan Hydropower Project as well as Mahl Hydropower project, all on Jhelum River, which would prove to be a milestone in the country’s development and prosperity.

He also called for speedy work of other power projects including Shargthang, Hanzal, Chilas, Naltar, and Hassanabad Hunza, besides the early construction of Kalabagh Dam which is the most suitable project for the national economy as it would produce cheap and sufficient electricity.

FPCCI President, referring to the factors behind the current scenario of water and hydropower sectors in the country, observed that the situation can be improved by putting a robust development mechanism in place and exercising prompt decision making. All stakeholders including the business community are ready to play their due role to implement the National Water Policy for water, food, and energy security of the country, he said.