Lahore, November 11, 2015 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir today presided over a meeting, wherein the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) made a briefing on various WAPDA projects located in Gilgit-Baltistan. The meeting was also attended by Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafiz Hafiz-ur-Rehman.
While briefing the meeting, WAPDA Chairman said that the Prime Minister attaches highest importance to the exploitation of hydropower potential, which exists in Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that the Indus Cascade, located in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the future’s energy corridor for Pakistan.
He briefed the meeting that PC-I of the 7100-MW Bunji Hydropower Project has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. PC-I of some of the projects on Indus Cascade are yet to be readied. To execute such projects in private sector, WAPDA has submitted a policy to the Ministry of Water and Power for approval, he added.
The Chairman further said that on the directives of the Prime Minister, WAPDA is establishing two technical institutes one each at Chillas and Gilgit to train the locals in 3-year batches. The manpower, trained so, will then be employed on WAPDA projects. However, the locals, who wish to study further after their training in these institutes, will also be given admission in WAPDA University to be set up at Tarbela.
He said that WAPDA will provide technical support to Gilgit-Baltistan Government to help exploit their hydro potential. The Chairman also briefed the meeting about the matters relating to financial assistance of KFW of Germany and AFD of France for the 34-MW Harpo and the 40-MW Basho hydropower projects. The issues of Satpara Dam were also discussed in the meeting.
For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99202633
Fax: +92-42-99203144
Cell: +92-333-4458293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com
Website: www.wapda.gov.pk