KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday inaugurated the first unit of the 1320-megawatt coal fired power plant at Port Qasim in Karachi.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Abbasi said democracy is the only choice for Pakistan to ensure stability, progress and prosperity. The prime minister said the government believes in freedom of expression and there is no curb on print and electronic media.
PM Abbasi said the state institutions have successfully defeated terrorism in the country and are united in their resolve to uproot terrorism from the country. He said the next general elections will be held in 2018.
About the power plant, PM Abbasi said completion of Unit One of coal-based power plant at Port Qasim in Karachi is a milestone and a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship.
He said the Unit One will generate 660 megawatt electricity, and has been completed at a cost of two billion dollars in a record time of thirty months which is ahead of scheduled time. He said the second unit of the plant will also be functional in February next year.
PM Abbasi said the Port Qasim power plant is the first project that has been completed under China Pakistan Economic Corrdor (CPEC).
He said that CPEC will play a vital role in the economic development and progress of Pakistan, and projects completed will provide job opportunities to thousands of unemployed youth in the country.
He also said that a number of projects in LNG sector have been initiated. Later, he departed for Sochi, Russia to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.
