LAHORE: A Chinese delegation has expressed its interest in joint ventures with Pakistan in the energy sector.
During a meeting with the Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), the delegation presented numerous propositions that could be included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and would promote allied investment from China’s private sector.
During the course of the discussion, PCJCCI senior vice president presented a Turkish report according to which the vast resources of hot springs in Pakistan especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Balochistan and Kashmir could be used for generating 10,000MW hydel power and in the treatment of skin and joint diseases.
PCJCCI Senior Vice President Iqbal Qureshi apprised the members that hot springs reservoirs can be used as a centralised system of house air-conditioning coupled with developing recreational/medication in those parts of Pakistan.
Endorsing this idea, Huaiyin District Committee Deputy Secretary Zhou Jing, also the head of the delegation, pledged to disseminate this information among all concerned in China to make this idea a success. She was quite optimistic that a Chinese company would be ready to set up specific turbines to initiate pilot projects of 5 to 10MW, which, if successful, would be emulated for further major power generation units.
Concluding the meeting, Zhou invited members of PCJCCI for the upcoming business expo in Jinan to showcase Pakistani products. This, he said, would help Pakistan get orders from China.