Pakistan outsources PoK work to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, South Korea and China

MUZAFFARABAD: Five countries, including China, will reconstruct and develop Muzaffarabad city, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir which was devastated by the 2005 earth quake. The city is 125 km from Islamabad. Other countries involved are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait and South Korea, which will build hydropower projects, schools, colleges, government offices, university and mosques in the area.
According to senior officials in the PoK government, at least 3,000 Chinese and 300 Korean workers were stationed in Muzaffarabad and adjacent areas for construction of different hydroelectricity and other projects. Massive reconstruction started in Muzaffarabad, after the 2005 earthquake that killed around 60,000 people.
“Foreign countries are in direct touch with the government here and donations come directly to us. They have already completed many projects,” former prime minister of PoK, Farooq Haider, told a group of visiting reporters here.
Chinese and Koreans are mainly building the hydro-power projects. Koreans have already completed two 100 MW projects and are working on another 89MW project. Chinese are developing 1100 MW power project on river Jehlum, besides other smaller projects. Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan is also developing a 969 MW Neelum-Jehlum hydropower project near Muzaffarabad.
The Chinese live in separate colonies near Muzaffarabad city and are seen interacting with the local population with the help of translators.
After the recent signing of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project between the two countries, Chinese influence in this region is bound to increase. Many people in Muzaffarabad are already aware of the basic gestures and sounds in the Chinese language.
“Interestingly, dog population in and around Muzaffarabad is also under control as Chinese are dog meat eaters. As of now they generally interact only if they need something,” said Ghulam Muhammad Chaudhary, a local.
Saudi Arabia is building the University campus in Muzaffarabad, currently functioning from multistoried temporary structures. The new government office buildings, secretariat and residential enclosures are being built by Turkey, directly involved in the reconstruction.
“After completion of all the projects, Muzaffarabad will be a blend of eastern and middle-eastern architecture and modernisation,” Haider added.