World Bulletin/News Desk

A new hydel agreement has been signed between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan on Wednesday. Known as CASA-1000 (Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project), the project will help export 1000MW of clean energy to Pakistan.

Although the initial idea was conceived sometime ago, the government of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took the initiative to expedite the project and convened a meeting in September 2013 in Islamabad which discussed various aspects of the project leading to the historic signing in Istanbul, an official statement issued from the Pakistan embassy stated.

Scheduled for completion in 2018 the Tajikistan share will be 70%, Kyrgyzstan will export 30% - Afghanistan will consume 300MW of the exported energy while Pakistan will receive 1000MW while hoping to boost energy trade in the region, and hopefully lead to sustainable development.