Pakistani and Chinese Officials Celebrate Chinese National Day at Dasu HPP

CT Report

KOHISTAN: The camp office of China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), main contractor of the Dasu Hydropower Project (HPP), was abuzz with festivity on Wednesday as Chinese and Pakistani staff, alongside civil and military officials, marked Chinese National Day.

The event was attended by WAPDA GM Dasu HPP Amir Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Deputy Commissioner Upper Kohistan Tariq Ali Khan, District Police Officer, Army officers and soldiers, as well as Chinese engineers and Pakistani workers. National flags of both countries were hoisted, followed by a salute and cake-cutting.

Speakers highlighted the project as a symbol of Pak-China friendship. WAPDA GM said Chinese and Pakistani workers were “building trust and friendship shoulder to shoulder.” The DC termed the celebration proof of “brotherhood and shared prosperity.” The official of CGGC were quoted as saying that they were feeling like at home in Pakistan and together, they were turning a dream into reality.

On September 26, WAPDA announced that construction on the 4,320 MW project’s main dam will begin in mid-2026 after foundation excavation and RCC trials. Excavation of the underground powerhouse will finish by February 2026, while a 20.5 km realigned section of Karakoram Highway is set to open by June 2026.

Dasu, being built in two phases with World Bank support, will generate 21 billion units annually once completed, making it Pakistan’s largest hydropower project. Phase-I (2,160 MW) is expected to start generation by December 2027.