Minister Ahsan Iqbal chairs CPEC progress review meeting attended by key representatives to assess ongoing initiatives.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, presided over a progress review session concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by representatives from multiple departments, including the Ministry of Communications, Economic Affairs Division, Board of Investment, NEPRA, NHA, QESCO, PARC, and the Gwadar Development Authority.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Planning and Development, officials from all provincial governments also participated virtually.
Key points on the agenda included the establishment of agricultural technology working groups to promote innovation, arrangements for the fifth Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in Pakistan, planning for the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) in June, distribution of agricultural tools, operational readiness of the Gwadar desalination plant, and the installation of 15,000 solar-powered lighting units in Balochistan.
The Minister was updated on the status of JWG meetings and instructed relevant departments to ensure all such meetings are completed by May 2025.
Referring to China’s recent contribution of agricultural machinery worth Rs. 12 billion, the Minister directed provincial authorities to distribute the equipment to grassroots departments within ten days.
A PARC representative informed the Minister that the donation includes 40 tractors, 40 multipurpose harvesters, and various other tools aimed at strengthening agricultural research and supporting farmers, thereby contributing to national food security and economic growth.
The Minister emphasized the need for all provinces to transition toward agricultural mechanization to improve the overall productivity of Pakistan’s agriculture sector.
Provincial agriculture secretaries briefed the Minister on the status of equipment distribution, noting that most provinces had completed necessary consultations and received machinery requests from local departments.
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