Gwadar Port and NGIA to be linked via expressway

Gwadar Port and NGIA to be linked via expressway as a consensus was achieved during the Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal visit to China.

Pakistan and China have agreed to build an expressway linking Gwadar Port to the newly established Gwadar International Airport. Both nations also decided to conduct feasibility studies for additional motorways, including the Mirpur-Muzaffarabad and Karachi-Hyderabad routes, to enhance connectivity as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This consensus was achieved during a meeting between Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and China’s Vice Minister of Transport Li Ying in Beijing. Ahsan Iqbal expressed his appreciation for China’s steadfast support in Pakistan’s transportation sector, emphasizing the transformative effects of CPEC projects like the Multan-Sukkur Motorway and the Hazara Expressway. He noted that these initiatives have significantly shortened travel times while unlocking new avenues for economic growth.

The minister underscored the urgency of accelerating key projects such as the Karachi-Hyderabad Section, the ML-1 railway upgrade, and Karakoram Highway Phase II. He also proposed constructing the Mashkhel to Panjgur Highway in Balochistan, envisioning it as a mineral corridor to boost regional development. Vice Minister Li Ying welcomed these suggestions and reaffirmed China’s commitment to advancing these collaborative projects.

Later, Ahsan Iqbal met with Ms. Wang Shunning, President of the Export-Import Bank of China, to discuss Pakistan’s economic recovery efforts and reforms in energy and taxation. The minister expressed gratitude for the bank’s role in financing Pakistan’s space satellite project and voiced optimism about the approval of the Space Center project.

Ms. Wang Shunning praised Pakistan’s strides in economic recovery and reiterated China’s dedication to its enduring partnership with Pakistan. She assured continued support for Pakistan’s development priorities, particularly emphasizing the pivotal role of space technology in driving future progress.

These discussions underscore the shared resolve of Pakistan and China to deepen their strategic partnership through CPEC, fostering opportunities for sustainable development and economic advancement.