Energy-starved Pakistan may turn to India for help

Islamabad, Apr 22 (ANI): After Iran, energy-starved Pakistan is now looking towards India with hope to import 500 megawatts (MW) from that country, said Qazi Imtiaz Ahmed , the Federal Water and Power Secretary.

Tenders will be issued soon after the federal cabinet formally approves the planned deal, Ahmed told the Express Tribune. The government aims to finalise the modalities, tariffs, terms and conditions for the import of power as soon as possible, he added.

"We will invite power supply companies of India for the implementation of the project soon," he said.

It has been bilaterally decided that a 45-kilometre-long, 220 kV line will be constructed within six months of a formal agreement on the project. The agreement will be valid for five years, and will be negotiable for another five years or more.

Currently, Pakistan is importing 70MW of electricity from Iran for the coastal city of Makran in Balochistan. Tehran is also preparing to export 100MW of electricity to Gwadar within the next few months.

Ahmed said the Ministry of Water and Power has outstanding dues amounting to more than Rs350 billion, to be paid to power producing companies. (ANI)