ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan and China Friday reiterated their resolve to restart construction activities on the Dasu Hydropower project soon.

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd) yesterday called on Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong. Matters relating to construction of Dasu Hydropower Project in the context of July 14 incident were discussed in detail during the meeting. 

The Chinese Ambassador and WAPDA Chairman expressed their resolve to restart construction activities on the project soon.

Meanwhile, the WAPDA Chairman also had a meeting with China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) Vice President and Chief Executive Officer and discussed with them the matters pertaining to ensuring a safe and more secure environment in the project area.

It is pertinent to mention here that in the wake of Dasu incident, the civil administration, WAPDA and CGGC had decided with mutual consultation to suspend construction on the project for a few days so that the matter could be re-organized and construction may be resumed in a more secure atmosphere.

Following the July 14 bus incident which had killed 12 people including 9 Chinese nationals, the CGGC had halted work on Dasu project and laid off majority of Pakistani employees. However, the decision was nullified later as the Chinese construction company CGGC through its notice had declared its earlier notice null and void about contract termination of employment of Pakistani labour working with it on Dasu Hydropower Project.