Qatar to invest in Pak’s water, power projects

With lending from multilateral institutions declining, the government has stepped up efforts to attract bilateral funding for implementation of major infrastructure projects, particularly in the water and power sector. According to sources, a portfolio of 10 water and power projects has been prepared to attract investments from friendly countries. Details of the $29 billion projects were presented to the government and investors from Qatar during Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani?s visit to Doha last month and at a joint ministerial commission meeting held here later. The sources said on Monday the government had requested Qatar to invest in major water projects and encourage its private companies and lending agencies to provide funds for some of the schemes and prepare for participating in bidding when they were offered in the coming months. The portfolio of projects include the $12 billion Diamer-Bhasha Dam, $700 million Kurram Tangi Dam, $1.4 billion Munda Dam, $700 million Nai Gaj Dam, $170 million Naulong Dam, $300 million Hingol Dam, $650 million Chashma Right Bank Canal (lift-cum-gravity) Project, $6 billion each for Thakot and Pattan Hydropower Projects and $2 billion Dudhnial Hydropower Project.