Federal Minister for Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar has said that Pakistan in principle has decided to import electricity from India to meet its energy requirements.
He said this while talking to a four member Indian delegation of Global Energy, who called on him led by Harry Dhaul here today in his office. The delegation visiting Pakistan to discuss the possibilities of export of power from India to Pakistan in continuation with the meeting of the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Indian Prime Minister held recently in China in this regard.
The Minister said that Pakistan is facing difficulties due to shortage of electricity and early import of power from India to help bridging demand supply gap. He said that the electricity trade between the two countries will enhance the economic ties and bilateral relations.
He said that it is our desire that the modalities, tariff and terms and conditions for import of power may be finalized at the earliest so that the project may be started shortly.
He said that initially Pakistan may import upto 500 MW which may be supplied with the construction of small transmission lines of from both sides. The Minister also directed the Ministry, NTDC and Central Power Purchasing Agency to finalize the terms and conditions and submit the initial report next week for further processing.
Mr. Harry Dhaul while talking to the Minister said that they are interested for long term relations in this regard and will export reliable electricity to Pakistan. He said that the electricity trade in beneficial for both the countries and it will open new avenues of economic ties.
During the meeting it was agreed that Pakistan and India will construct 45 Kilometer 220 kv transmission lines within six months after formal agreement in this respect.
The agreement will be for five years which will be negotiable for extension for another five years or more. The meeting also discussed various options to import power from different locations of the Pak-India border.
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