Govt seeks Chinese support for hydropower projects

Pakistan is engaging the Chinese leadership for the revival of more than 1800-megawatt of hydropower projects (HPPs) and investment from fresh Chinese companies in the country’s transmission and distribution network as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The authorities are trying their best to convene a meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the cabinet on May 22-23 so that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing early next month will be a success. A high-level delegation led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is currently in China to pursue existing investors and financial institutions and tap in more firms in transmission and distribution network as part of CPEC’s second phase. Besides fresh investments in transmission projects, Pakistan wants Chinese firms to also enter the distribution sector as the government pushes for private sector participation, including through privatisation or long-term concession agreements.