Pakistan starts negotiations to import Iranian electricity to power up Gwadar Port

PM Imran Khan-led Pakistan Government on August 13 commenced negotiations for importing 70 to 100-megawatt Iranian electricity to power up Gwadar Port located on shores of Arabian Sea opposite Oman as even Tehran has been granted surplus. Gwadar Port is owned by government-owned Gwadar Port Authority and operated by China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), a state-run Chinese firm. decision surfaced during Cabinet Committee on China Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CCoCPEC) session under chairmanship of Pakistan's Federal Minister for Development.

Gwadar Port is set to be completed by 2023 and is delayed owing to a set of reasons, especially COVID-led disruptions. Provision of electricity to deep seaport as 300 MW power plant is under construction, and a transmission line of 220KV would be constructed to connect with national grid in coming years. meeting observed that only available option was importing 70 to 100 MW power from Iran. Tehran was earlier providing electricity to Balochistan, but after witnessing a decrease in its hydel production, it suspended it in last couple of years. 

Land dispute between Pakistan Coast Guard and Pakistan Navy

meeting between CCoCPEC and Pakistan's Ministry did t take up land feud between Pakistan Coast Guard and Pakistan Navy as land of 50 to 70 acres would be provided to a Chinese entity for developing Gwadar Master Plan. verification of land records was underway in constitution with Defence Ministry, and this issue would be resolved. Out of 2,500 acres of land, Chinese company had possession of 70 to 75 per cent of land. 

Pakistani authorities also elucidated on international investors who are keen to relocate industries into Gwadar Free Zone. Also, Chinese entities informed CCoCPEC meeting that provisions such as electricity, clean drinking water and or infrastructure requirements would contribute to luring investment into Gwadar Free Ecomic Zone. Without basic facilities, expectation of attracting investors would remain a pipe dream, meeting ted. 

Projects under China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor

Numerous projects undertaken by CPEC, including those in power sector, have witnessed delays due to pandemic. CPEC multi-billion-dollar ecomic aegis has t completed projects in three years and could t maintain impetus that delivered a series of power plants and or infra-projects across phases of CPEC implementation.

Regarded as one of significant components of USD 60 billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC has faced opposition from political parties and unions in Pakistan. Furrmore, hype instigated by Pakistan government by projecting CPEC as a remedy to all crises has lost its steam. Due to disputes over debts and China's hegemony in BRI contracts, Communist regime has face backlashes by multiple countries forced China to stall various projects.

Im Credit: AP