President Asif Ali Zardari has warmly invited Shanghai Electric to deepen its investment in modernizing Pakistan’s transmission and distribution infrastructure. During a visit to Shanghai Electric today, he expressed this commitment in discussions with the company’s Chairman, Wu Lei.
Accompanied by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, the President was briefed on the company’s ongoing contributions in Pakistan—spanning Thar Coal, nuclear energy, and coal-fired power generation.
He acknowledged Shanghai Electric’s vital role in meeting the country’s energy demands, generating job opportunities, and bolstering socio-economic development. He emphasized Pakistan’s strong support for the Thar Coal project, notably the promising prospects of coal gasification.
President Zardari affirmed that any pending concerns would be addressed in a cooperative spirit. The CEO of Shanghai Electric, in turn, expressed appreciation for the security measures provided to their workforce in Pakistan. The President reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further enhancing safety to ensure a welcoming, stable environment for Chinese employees.
During his visit, he also learned about Shanghai Electric’s nearly 120-year history: founded in 1902 and now globally recognized for its leadership in energy equipment, industrial systems and innovations.
A highlight of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Coal Gasification Plant in Thar, Sindh. The project is the first of its kind here—to harness Thar Coal not only for electricity but also to produce fertilizers, strengthening both energy supply and the agriculture sector. The agreement was signed by CEO Coal Gasification and Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, Shahid Tawawalla, and CEO Sino Sindh Resources (Private) Ltd / Shanghai Electric, Lin Jigen.
Notable dignitaries present included Sindh’s Information & Transport Minister Sharjeel Memon, Planning, Development & Energy Minister Syed Nasir Shah, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi.
