DUSHANBE – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday attended the quadrilateral meeting of Central Asia-South Asia-100 power project (CASA 1000).
The meeting, which is underway, is also being attended by Tajik President Emamali Rehmon, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov at Pugus Varzob Valley.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Nawaz Sharif said that the power project will connect Central Asia to South Asia by bringing prosperity in the region. Under the CASA project, environment-friendly electricity will be produced, he highlighted.
The prime minister said that the economy of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzsatan will also grow with completion of the power project, which will also help to create job opportunities in the countries.
After the completion of the project, Pakistan will get 1,000 MW and Afghanistan 300 MW electricity in summer time, he said.
The prime minister who is currently in Tajikistan on a two-day official visit would also witness an exhibition of agricultural products.
Before heading back Pakistan, the prime minister will also attend a trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan where various matters of mutual interest will be discussed.
Earlier, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and members of his entourage in Dushanbe.
CASA-1000
The CASA-1000, is a $1.16 billion project currently under construction that will allow for the export of surplus hydroelectricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Groundbreaking for the project took place on May 12, 2016 in Tajikistan in a ceremony attended by the Kyrgyz, Tajik, and Pakistani Prime Ministers, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
