ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan appreciates China’s vision to upgrade the second phase of CPEC, which is an important part of China’s Belt and Road project in the region. Yes, the journey of the last 10 years has taught us the importance of continuous effort and the ability to proactively address concerns.
He expressed these views while addressing the 13th meeting of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee at the Ministry of Planning on Friday. The meeting of the 13th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) was held under the joint chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Privatization Aleem Khan, Minister of Communications, Federal Minister of Information Technology, Secretary Planning Owais Manzoor Samra, Secretary Energy, Secretary Communications, Secretary Board of Investment and high officials of federal and provincial ministries participated.
Vice Chairman National Development and Reform Commission presided over the meeting from China. JCC participants were shown a documentary on the progress of CPEC. The documentary celebrated 10 years of CPEC. In the meeting, CPEC Long Term Plan, Energy, Communication, Gwadar Working Group, Industrial , Socio-Economic, International Cooperation and Coordination, Science and Technology and Information Technology working groups will highlight the progress made in the meeting. Adopted.
On this occasion, the Federal Planning Minister said that Pakistan appreciates China’s vision to upgrade the second phase of CPEC. We are ready to work with the National Development Reform Commission of China to finalize the second phase of CPEC. This is the journey of the common dreams of both countries. I thank the institutions for gathering at this forum today. Under this strategic initiative, we will jointly address the challenges of CPEC.
Ahsan Iqbal said that the projects that we once dreamed of have now become practical. CPEC is an important part of China’s Belt and Road initiative in the region. The journey of the last 10 years has taught us the importance of continuous effort and the ability to proactively address concerns. The Chinese appreciate the vision of the leadership. He said that through CPEC, electricity production was shifted from imported fuel to local fuel. Projects worth 16 billion dollars have been completed in the power sector.
Ahsan Iqbal said that 8 projects worth 6 billion 70 million dollars have been completed in the communication sector. A lot of progress has been made on the $6.8 billion ML-1 project of Railways. ML1 plan is ready for bidding. Progress is also being made on Karachi Circular Railway. Work is in progress on Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway. Social development projects are being started in Gwadar under CPEC.
The next phase of CPEC is cooperation and development in the fields of agriculture, industry, information technology and science. Chinese technology in special economic zones and Chinese companies will transfer their industries to these special zones. Chinese Vice Chairman NDRC said in the meeting. Li Chunlin paid tribute to the Pakistani Minister of Planning for his deep commitment to CPEC and his active role in taking it forward. He said that Ahsan Iqbal presided over 10 of the 13 JCC meetings held so far, which is quite an honor in itself.
China is committed to full cooperation with Pakistan in all fields. He said that CPEC is a transformative plan for Pakistan and the region. Under CPEC, 16 energy projects have been completed, the power projects include generation and transmission projects.
