Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his enthusiasm for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Chashma-V Nuclear Power Plant, emphasizing its significance for economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. During the MoU signing ceremony in the federal capital, the Prime Minister hailed the project as a crucial step forward and assured that it would commence promptly.
Amid challenging economic circumstances, Pakistan’s ability to secure a $4.8 billion investment from China for this project sends a strong message that Chinese companies and investors continue to have faith in Pakistan as a reliable partner for collaboration. The Prime Minister acknowledged the substantial concessions worth Rs30 billion offered by Chinese companies, demonstrating their commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the valuable assistance provided by China during Pakistan’s economic difficulties, particularly while engaging in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the finalization of the 9th review to revive the loan program. He extended gratitude to brotherly nations Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar for their support to Pakistan during this period.
Expressing his gratitude to President XI Jinping and the Chinese leadership for their generous assistance, the Prime Minister recognized Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other ministers for their dedicated efforts in making the project a reality. He underscored the unity between civil and military leadership, referring to the project as evidence of their alignment. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Nawaz Sharif, who initially signed the nuclear power plant project in 1990, and expressed appreciation to the Chinese company for maintaining the project’s price despite the passage of six years.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, the Chinese Charge d’affaires Ms. Pang Chunxue, representatives from Chinese companies, and other high-ranking officials from both Pakistan and China.
The signing of the MoU for the Chasma-V Nuclear Power Plant marks a significant milestone in the economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. The Prime Minister’s remarks reflect the appreciation for China’s support, the collaborative efforts of Pakistani officials, and the unity between civil and military leadership. The successful implementation of this project not only strengthens bilateral ties but also showcases Pakistan as an attractive investment destination for Chinese companies, reinforcing the trust and confidence between the two nations.