Saturday, October 5, 2024
15.6 C
Chitral
spot_img
More

    Saudi Fund for Development Strengthens ties with Pakistan Through Hydropower Projects

    Saudi Fund for Development Strengthens ties with Pakistan Through Hydropower Projects

    Chitral Times Report

    ISLAMABAD: A delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), led by Mr. Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SFD, during its visit to Pakistan (22-24 March, 2024), called on Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Economic Affairs on 22nd March 2024. Minister for Economic Affairs welcomed the delegation and appreciated the efforts of SFD for financing in the fields of Health, Energy, Infrastructure and Education as well as the recent floods.

    The CEO, SFD, thanked the Minister and Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality as well as the conferment of award. Mr. Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Economic Affairs also witnessed signing of the loan agreements for Shounter Hydropower Project (48 MW) – US$ 66.00 million and Jagran IV Hydropower Project (22 MW) – US$ 41.00 million . Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, and Mr. Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO),SFD signed the financing agreements.

    These endeavours aim at harnessing the indigenously available hydropower potential and generating 70 MW hydropower, which will be transmitted to the national grid. Moreover, it will help in eradicating the menace of deforestation by providing electricity as an alternative to the energy needs of the local communities, who hitherto are entirely dependent on forest wood; and create economic opportunities for socioeconomic uplift of the people of AJK. The Minister for Economic Affairs appreciated the role and support of SFD to Pakistan at a very challenging time and assured the delegation for further strengthening ties in the future. Mr. Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad assured Pakistan of SFD’s continued support to Pakistan. 

    Meanwhile a delegation of Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), led by Mr. Sultan Bin Abdul Rehman Al Marshad, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SFD, during its visit to Pakistan (22-24 March, 2024), also called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, the other day. The Prime Minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated the long-standing friendship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and the efforts of SFD for providing financing to Pakistan in the fields of Health, Energy, infrastructure and Education as well the recent floods.

    The CEO, SFD thanked the Prime Minister and Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality as well as the conferment of the National Civil Award, Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam. The Prime Minister also appreciated the signing of Financial Agreements, early today, between SFD and the Government of Pakistan worth US$ 107 Mn for construction of Hydropower stations in AJK, which would not only provide clean energy but would also help eradicate the menace of deforestation, besides providing job opportunities to the local population.

    The CEO, SFD shared updates with the Prime Minister about the ongoing projects including Mohmand Multi-purpose Hydropower Project, Golan Gol Hydropower Project, Malakand Regional Development Project, and other projects funded through Saudi grants. The Prime Minister, while appreciating the support of the SFD, highlighted the need to expedite the processing of the new projects, shared with SFD, in the field of green energy and infrastructure, which once implemented, would go a long way in the economic revival of the country, besides serving the needs of the local communities. The CEO, SFD assured early processing of the shared projects and also reiterated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Royal Family, would extend all possible assistance and continued support to Pakistan. The Prime Minster thanked the CEO and members of the delegation and conveyed his best wishes to all the members of the Royal Family, especially the Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain.

    spot_img

    Hot Topics

    Related Articles