(Islamabad: June 19, 2023) A Parliamentary Delegation visited the Karot Hydropower Project, to commemorate its 1st Anniversary and celebrate the 10 years of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the 10 Years of BRI. The Delegation was led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute, and Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director of Pakistan-China Institute. This was the first Cross Party Parliamentary delegation that visited the Karot Hydropower Project, including Senator Waleed Iqbal, Senator Taj Haider, Senator Sadia Abbasi, Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, and Senator Muhammad Asad Ali Khan Junejo. Moreover, journalists, bloggers, and students were also a part of this delegation.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Wang Minsheng, CEO of CSAIL, who emphasized the significance of the Karot Project and the operations underway to boost Pakistan’s energy sector. Explaining the project benefits he said, “With an annual generating capacity of about 3.2 billion kWh, the project is expected to save about 1.4 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tons each year, meeting the electricity needs of 5 million people in Pakistan”. He further said that the Karot Hydropower Project is the flagship project of CPEC, featuring sincere cooperation and mutual benefit between China and Pakistan.
The Head of the Parliamentary Delegation, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed appreciated the project team on the effective operation and maintenance of the Karot Hydropower Project. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of CPEC as the backbone of Pakistan’s economic growth – voicing optimism regarding the project. He also appreciated the CSR initiatives taken by the company, in which the company supported a 60 bed THQ Hospital Kahuta, which will serve 30,000 patients per month.
Senator Waleed Iqbal, another delegation member, stated that the Karot Hydropower Project is the first large-scale hydropower project under the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing that its significance is not only for Pakistan but also for the regional development of Green Energy.
Counsellor Bao Zhong from the Chinese embassy stated that with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life in the two countries, the Karot Hydropower Project has made remarkable achievements, which strongly resonates with the spirit of the “Belt and Road” initiative of joint consultation, joint construction and shared benefits.
The delegation had the opportunity to examine key project components such as the spillway, dam structure, and power house during their visit. China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGO) professionals presented technical briefings on project elements and environmental protection measures implemented in the project region.
A group picture was taken to commemorate the occasion, capturing the shared enthusiasm between the parliamentary delegation and the project team. The Parliamentary delegation expressed admiration for the commitment of the Karot Hydropower Project to clean energy generation and its contribution to Pakistan’s development agenda. They also acknowledged the project’s pivotal role in meeting the country’s energy increasing demands while addressing the environmental concerns.
The Karot Project, with a capacity of 720 MW, has been developed and sponsored by the China Three Gorges South Asian Investment Limited (CSAIL), the investment arm of China Three Gorges Corporation managing investments in Pakistan.
