China’s Three Gorges Project Corporation has proposed a $15b hydropower scheme to Pakistan to dam the Indus river valley at quite a few places and to fund a $50m survey to lay the groundwork, reliably learnt. “China’s Three Gorges Project Corporation has proposed a $15b hydropower scheme to Pakistan to dam the Indus river valley at several

Taunsa Barrage View

points,” official sources told seeking anonymity, adding,” this hydroelectric master plan would help in controlling floods and tackling electricity shortages in Pakistan”. The deal, pitched by the builders of the Yangtze River dam, the world’s largest, is the latest example of Chinese interest in Pakistan, as the latter tries to develop natural gas, oil, coal and hydropower resources to boost its flagging economy, sources added. Sources further informed that MoU to construct 1100MW Hydropower project at Kohala, 120MW Hydropower project at Taunsa barrage and flood mitigation project at Sukkur Barrage had already been signed to kick-start this master plan. Both sides are working on the details and priorities” of the $15bn hydropower deal for Pakistan, sources maintained. Reportedly Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain told that Three Gorges had met with the government and proposed a $15bn hydroelectric master plan for the Indus and to fund a $50m survey to lay the groundwork