PM inaugurates first unit of Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday formally inaugurated the first unit of Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project (NJHP) in Azad Kashmir capable of producing 242MW electricity.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the prime minister said the other two units of the 969 megawatt project will be completed within two months.

PM Abbasi said the project will generate 5.15 billion units of electricity annually besides an annual revenue of about 55 billion rupees. As many as 4500 people will also get employment in the project.

The prime minister said the government had to face different technical and financial challenges to execute the project, which were successfully overcome, and the project has became a reality.

He said power plants having capacity of 10,400 megawatts of electricity have been operationalised by the present government.

He further said the gap between demand and supply in the country has been overcome. Load-shedding is being observed only in those areas where power-theft is recorded.

PM Abbasi said work on Dasu dam has been initiated and the government is determined to implement the projects of Mohmand and Diamer-Bhasha dams.

Speaking about the Kashmir issue, the prime minister said the ongoing human rights violations in occupied Kashmir by the occupying Indian forces are a human rights challenge for the world conscience.

He urged the international community to play its role for end to these human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris in the restive region.