DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that CASA 1000 project is a win-win situation for all the stakeholders as it will not only provide economic, social and environmental benefits but also reduce energy deficit, create jobs and improve business activities in the region.
In his address at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Central Asia South Asia (CASA 1000) power project near Dushanbe in Tajikistan on Thursday, the prime minister said that the project will also contribute to regional integration and promote friendship amongst the participating countries.
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s full commitment to early completion of this project.
The prime minister said that it is a matter of great pleasure that after many years of conception of this project, we are entering into the implementation phase.
Nawaz Sharif further said that Pakistan welcomes start of flights between Dushanbe and Lahore as this will facilitate travelling and enhance economic relations and promote tourism.
Earlier, the CASA 1000 was jointly launched by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Chief Executive Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah and Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov at an impressive ceremony.
The CASA-1000 is a flagship project, and the first of its kind that will link Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan through electricity grid.
Under the project, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan will supply 1000 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan and 300 to Afghanistan. The project is likely to be completed by 2018 at a cost of Rs117 billion.
The leaders of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan also spoke on the occasion and said that the project will enhance economic integration and bring prosperity in the region.
In her remarks on the occasion, World Bank’s representative said that the bank will provide assistance for the project which will help produce cheap and environment friendly electricity.
