Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high level meeting on CPEC progress

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high level meeting on CPEC progress where he emphasized on fast track development.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, led a high-level review meeting in Islamabad to assess the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Key officials from various federal ministries, provincial departments, and organizations like the Planning Commission and Board of Investment participated in the session.

The meeting revisited developments of several ongoing CPEC initiatives as discussed in previous reviews. It was shared that an NHA-led team, including technical and financial experts, will visit China in April 2025 to finalize implementation terms for the Karakoram Highway (KKH) project. Minister Iqbal reaffirmed the urgency of the KKH initiative, calling it a strategic priority due to the Diamer Basha Dam’s construction.

It was announced that the fourth Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agricultural Cooperation will be held on April 22, 2025, in Beijing. A Pakistani delegation will attend, while 300 agricultural professionals from Pakistan are scheduled to leave for China on April 15 for training in modern farming techniques. The Minister instructed the Ministry of Food Security to expedite the distribution of agricultural machinery provided under the CPEC socio-economic development program, addressing delays.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal called for swift activation of the Gwadar desalination plant, directing authorities to resolve all pending issues within the week. He also instructed the Ministry of Power to ensure a stable electricity supply for Gwadar during the upcoming summer season.

Reviewing progress on CPEC Special Economic Zones (SEZs) overseen by FIEDMC and SIEZMC, the Minister emphasized the need for an effective global marketing strategy and a competitive tariff policy in light of new U.S. tariffs. He urged departments to intensify efforts to attract foreign industries by offering world-class infrastructure and facilities to support industrial relocation.
The forum was updated that three critical Joint Working Group sessions—focused on Industrial Cooperation, Gwadar development, and the Long-Term Plan—are scheduled for April as part of ongoing CPEC engagements.

Minister Iqbal concluded by reaffirming the government’s strong commitment to reinforcing Pakistan-China strategic collaboration through efficient and timely delivery of CPEC projects, which are pivotal to transforming Pakistan’s economic landscape.