PM vows acceleration in CPEC projects 

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday vowed to accelerate pace of work on projects being executed under the umbrella of multi billion dollars China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. 

While addressing a ceremony regarding inauguration of Matiari to Lahore 600 KV transmission line completed under the CPEC, Premier said the project would prove as a leading energy transmission artery from the country’s south to north.

“The operationalization of the Pakistan’s first-ever transmission line of 660 KV High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) would reduce line losses from 17 to four percent, resulting in availability of cheap electricity for consumers,” said Khan.

Imran Khan further added that Coronavirus outbreak created a lot of hurdles including disruption of supply chains which increased prices of essential commodities. But as the situation is improving, progress will again be visible on the CPEC related projects as well as bringing down the inflation.

“The scope of the CPEC project is now being expanded from power generation and road infrastructure projects to cooperation in the areas of industries and agriculture,” he added.  

He said cooperation in these two important sectors will help Pakistan reduce the debt burden through wealth creation.

Referring to Matiari-Lahore transmission line, Khan said this 886 kilometer long state of the art transmission line will help reduce power losses.  He said more investment will be made in the transmission line projects to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumers.

On the occasion, the federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar said that present government started construction work on this landmark project.

He said the project is now ready for electricity transmission after testing phase of six months.  He said other projects under the CPEC will also be completed on time. He expressed the resolve to address the country's power related issues.