MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Sunday assured the Chinese technical team executing the long-delayed Jagran-II hydropower project of full government support, including coverage of unforeseen technical costs, while urging swift re-mobilisation of manpower to ensure commissioning of at least two units before the end of this year.

Chairing a review meeting with Power Development Organisation (PDO) officials and the Chinese project manager at the project`s camp office in Kuttan, Mr Haq said the government was committed to resolving all bottlenecks and would not shift the burden of additional expenditures-such as treatment of rusted and waterlogged turbine panelsonto the project`s contracting firm.

The 48MW Jagran-II, located in the scenic Neelum Valley, is a run-of-theriver facility funded by France`s Agence Française de Développement(AFD) in partnership with Pakistan`s public sector.

The project has faced significant delays due to design issues and the evacuation of foreign experts amid heightened cross-border tensions earlier this year.

Chinese engineers had been relocated to Islamabad for safety but returned home before the situation stabilised.

So far, only the project manager has returned to Pakistan-arriving at the project site on July 9.

In Sunday`s briefing, the Chinese project manager informed the premier that due to prolonged site inactivity and exposure to moisture, some turbine components inside the powerhouse might have developed rust and waterlogging, warranting inspection before commissioning.

He said the costs for technical evaluation and treatment would be additional.

Responding, the AJK premier directed PDO to invite relevant experts from China or Pakistan without delay, assuring that all required funds would be covered underthe project cost.Mr Haq also praised the longstanding Pakistan-China relationship and said that if at least two of the four units were commissioned before the start of the lean water flow period, the government would announce a special bonus and award for the Chinese technical team.

The project manager assured Mr Haq that he would seek permission from the company`s Beijing headquarters and remobilise the full technical team to the site within 15 days.

The meeting was attended by AJK ministers Mian Abdul Waheed and Pir Mazhar Saeed, both hailing from Neelum Valley, along with PDO Managing Director Khawaja Masood Qadir and other senior officials.

Reaffirming the government`s commitment to the project, Mr Haq expressed hope that it would be completed and operational by December 2025, a timeline revised from the earlier target of June.

`Our government is focused on people-centric development and is taking timely steps to promote growth and prosperity,` he said.He added that completion of Jagran-II would ease power shortages, reduce load-shedding, and boost tourism and economic activity in the valley.

Earlier this year, Mr Haq had visited the project site in February and dire cted improved coordination among PDO, contractors and stakeholders for timely completion.

PDO officials accredit PM Haq for revivingthe dead project, as soon after assuming office he had pushed the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to expedite civil works.

According to them, the government has intensified efforts to harness the region`s untapped hydropower potential of nearly 8,000MW to meet energy needs and stimulate the local economy.

PDO MD Qadir recently informed Dawn that the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD had pledged approximately Rs22 billion for two major projects in Neelum Valley22 MW Jagran-IV and 48-MW Shonthar Hydropower Project. The PC-1s for both have been cleared by the Central Working Party, with land already acquired for Jagran-IV.