ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Central Asia-South Asia-1000 (CASA-1000) power project in Tajikistan. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2020 at a cost of over $1 billion.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Afghanistan’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbay Jeenbekov jointly launched the project at an impressive ceremony near Dushanbe.
On the occasion, the leaders were briefed about the project. The CASA-1000 is a flagship project, and the first of its kind that will link Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan through power grid.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif said the CASA-1000 was an important project in the region connecting Central Asia, Afghanistan and South Asia through electricity grid.
He said upon completion, Pakistan and Afghanistan would obtain 1,000 MW and 300 MW of electricity, respectively, in summer from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan from hydel resources. “This creates a win-win situation for all stakeholders,” he added.
The premier said this project would bring a number of economic and environmental benefits, help reduce energy deficit, improve trade and business links besides promoting friendship among the participating countries.
Sharif said ”the project brings landmark cooperation among the four countries and it is an important step for realisation of plan to South Asia and Central Asia power market”. He emphasised that connectivity was key to regional integration, economic and trade development as well as people-to-people contacts.
PM Sharif welcomed Tajikistan flight from Dushanbe to Lahore which started from May 6 and provides easy connections to Central Asia, adding that this would enhance commerce and promote tourism. He said the day was not far off when South Asia would be linked with Central Asia and bring prosperity to the region.
