Sindh chief minister invites Chinese businesspeople to invest in energy projects

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian on Tuesday has assured the Sindh government that various companies and firms of China will be asked to come ahead and invest in projects of Zulfikarabad City, Thar Coal and energy projects. This he said during a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Seyd Qaim Ali Shah and others at Chief Minister's House.
Five-member Chinese delegation led by Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian called on Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah at C M House. Senior Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq, Consul General of China at Karachi Zhang Jianxin, Vice Consul General of China at Karachi Pan Qing jiang, Counsellor Zhou Zhen Cheng, Third Secretary Tang Xin, Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Managing Director Zulfikarabad General Iftekhar Ahmed (Retd), Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas, Advisor for Special Projects Initiative Government of Sindh Fazalur Rehman, Secretary Education Sindh Muhammad Siddique Memon, Secretary General PPP Sindh Mr Taj Haider, Consultant Chinese Project Faiz Khoso, Secretary to C.M Sindh Agha Jan Akhter and others were present on the occasion.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah welcomed the Chinese delegation and said that Pakistan and China have cordial relations and both countries have proved to be not only the neighbouring countries but also to be friends at even tough times. He said that it was Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who strengthened the bilateral relations with China and brought both countries nearer to each other. We want relations with China not only on political but also on economic and education lines, he added.
Chief Minister invited investors of China to come forward and have investment in various projects of Sindh province including Thar Coal and energy project; ZulfiKarabad Development Project, Rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage and other components.
He further said that special economic zone is being developed near Karachi while basic infrastructure and facilities will be provided to investors for Zulfikarabad City project. The Managing Director Zulfikarabad Development Authority, General Iftekhar Ahmed (Retd) and Advisor for Special initiatives (Government of Sindh) Fazalur Rehman informed that a new modern city has been proposed in Thatta District comprising of 1.3 million acre of land, spread over about 3500 square K.MS near the coast.
The meeting was informed that preliminary survey and initial master plan has already been prepared while after further discussion, consultations and deliberations, a consolidated master plan will be envisaged with all facilities available there. The meeting was informed that it will be a multiple project with centres of learning, University, Centre of I.T, Industrial Units, Residential modalities are being finalised, and actual structure will come up when a complete Master Plan comes up.
It was further informed that once proposals are received, the Board of Investment will be inducted in the project, and public-private partnership Board will initiate accordingly where one- window operational service will be provided. Secretary Education Muhammad Siddique Memon informed the meeting that government of Sindh has approved a policy to introduce Chinese language in educational system of the province of Sindh, and Chinese language will be introduced from class VI to VIII in the first phase as non-credit subject.
Incentives will be given to the students such as stipends, scholarships, recreational trips, distribution of free books etc. It will be introduced from class IX to XII, while Chinese language as subject will also be added/introduced at University level, and research work could be stated with the passage of time, as well as public and private universities would be requested to establish Chinese language faculty.
Besides, initially teaching of Chinese language will be started in public and private centre schools in each district. The resource persons will train the Master Trainers and books will be printed arranged by Sindh Text Book Board. He said that conscious centres will be supported and scholarships will be provided to intending learners of Chinese Language. Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas General Secretary PPP Sindh Taj Haider and others also spoke on the occasion. Chief Minister Sindh and Ambassador of China for Pakistan also exchanged traditional gifts.-PR