Pak government says negotiations still on with India for energy import

The Pakistan government has said negotiations for importing electricity are still on with India, in spite of earlier reports suggesting that New Delhi has backtracked from supplying energy to Islamabad.

Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif said energy projects were still under consideration with India and Iran for importing electricity to resolve Pakistan's energy crisis, the Daily Times reports.

According to the report, a draft Memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been prepared and discussed with Indian delegations to import 500 MW of electricity through high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between the two countries.

The MoU will be signed jointly by both governments, the official added.

Another project of 1,000 MW power to be imported from Iran to meet the demand of Balochistan was underway, he said.

Meanwhile, electricity was being provided to the border towns of Balochistan at three points, namely Mand at 70 MW, Mashkail at 2.0 MW, and Taftan at 2.0 MW, the report added.