Islamabad, In a show of unity and resilience, the Chairman of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), visited the Dasu Hydropower Project to express solidarity with the Chinese engineers and workers following a deadly terrorist attack. The visit comes after an incident near Besham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that resulted in the death of five Chinese nationals and a local, en route to the project site from Islamabad.

According to Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority, Chairman Ghani, alongside China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Jiang Zaidong, spent time at the project site, specifically at the Construction Camp of China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), the contractor for the Dasu Hydropower Project. During the visit, Chairman Ghani condemned the attack and extended condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of WAPDA. He assured that law enforcement agencies are thoroughly investigating the incident, with a commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Efforts to enhance security measures at the project site were also discussed, aiming to prevent future incidents.

Chairman Ghani praised the contributions of Chinese firms in developing water and hydropower projects in Pakistan, highlighting their significance in ensuring the country’s economic stability and social progress. He acknowledged the efforts of these firms in working on numerous WAPDA projects, including Dasu, which are pivotal for providing essential water resources and low-cost energy. Ghani expressed confidence that the attacks, aimed at undermining the Pak-China friendship and cooperation, would not deter the joint efforts towards Pakistan’s stability and progress.

The visit underscores the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, especially in the face of challenges, and reaffirms both countries’ commitment to continue their cooperation in development projects critical for Pakistan’s future.