STAFF REPORT IBD: In order to help Pakistan come out of the persistent power crisis, the European Union (EU) is keen on investing in the power sector in Pakistan, particularly the Munda Dam, and the development of micro hydel projects in far-flung areas of the country.
“EU has planned to establish community-based hydro projects in 1,000 Union Councils of Malakand and small hydro-power plants in Northern Areas and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,” Head of the EU delegation in Pakistan, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Weigmark said while holding a meeting Federal Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar last week.
He briefed the minister on the EUs country programme for Pakistan. The programme entails rural development, good governance and efficient use of water for energy and agriculture as priority areas.
The EU has also granted 70 million euros for the rehabilitation and upgradation of two power plants in Multan and Faisalabad, while 30 million euros have been allocated for small hydro plants in northern areas.