Project to power up Pakistani livelihoods

ISLAMABAD — The China-built Karot hydropower project in Pakistan, under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is playing a vital role in ensuring the country's energy security and promoting sustainable and green development, Pakistani parliamentarians said.

Located on the Jhelum River in Pakistan's Punjab province, the Karot hydropower project is constructed by the China Three Gorges Corporation.

It is a clear example of sincere cooperation, friendship and mutual benefit between Pakistan and China, the parliamentarians said during an open house at Karot on Saturday.

Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo, a member of the Pakistani Senate's Power Committee, said at the event that China has been supporting Pakistan in improving its energy structure by constructing multiple power projects, including hydro, solar, wind and coal, across the country.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC is a corridor linking Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan to Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, highlighting energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

"Pakistan was facing a severe energy shortage back in 2013 to 2014, and it was not easy to satisfy the needs of millions of people in a short time," Junejo said.

"In our challenging times, China came to our help as a trusted friend, not only helping the country to overcome the energy crisis by producing thousands of megawatts of electricity, but also contributing to building road infrastructure, giving impetus to socioeconomic development."

Pakistani and Chinese staff worked hand in hand and completed the project well ahead of the due date in June last year, he said.

Success story

Mushahid Hussain Syed, chairman of the Pakistani Senate's Defense Committee, also hailed the hydropower project as a success story of the CPEC, which is a success story of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

With an annual generating capacity of 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity, the Karot project is expected to save about 1.4 million metric tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tons each year, said Pakistani officials from Karot Hydropower Plant.

"It has made a qualitative difference to the economy of Pakistan and energy security. So, we are having quality green development, which is also helpful to the ecology of Pakistan," said Syed.

Adhering to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China through its people-centric BRI has been bringing benefits to people in many countries, especially to developing countries including Pakistan, Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah, chairman of the Pakistani Senate's Water Resources Committee, said.

Through dams such as the Karot hydropower project, Pakistan can enhance its water management capacity and energy security, and help achieve sustainable development goals, he said.

Xinhua