Pakistan to finalize KKH project with China during April as a team of experts is set to visit.
A team comprising financial and technical specialists, led by the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA), will visit China in April 2025 to finalize arrangements for the Karakoram Highway (KKH) upgrade, a key initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This update was shared during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, to assess the status of ongoing CPEC projects.
The session was a follow-up to directives issued in the Minister’s earlier meeting to evaluate progress across various CPEC initiatives.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the urgency of the KKH project, calling it a strategic priority given its connection with the Diamer Basha Dam construction.
The participants were informed that the fourth session of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Agricultural Cooperation is scheduled for April 22, 2025.
A Pakistani delegation will travel to Beijing for the session, and the first group of 300 agriculture experts from Pakistan will leave for China on April 15 for advanced training in agricultural technologies.
Concerns were raised over delays in delivering agricultural equipment provided through the CPEC-funded socioeconomic development program.
In response, the Minister directed the Ministry of Food Security to expedite the distribution process and ensure immediate action.
He also instructed officials to operationalize the Gwadar desalination plant without delay. Authorities were urged to resolve outstanding issues within the week to bring the plant into full operation as soon as possible.
The Minister also asked the Ministry of Power to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply for Gwadar during the upcoming summer.
While reviewing progress on the Special Economic Zones managed by FIEDMC and SIEZMC, the Minister stressed the importance of a focused global marketing approach.
He called for the development of a competitive tariff structure, especially in light of recent U.S. trade measures, and encouraged efforts to attract industries relocating from abroad. He emphasized the urgency of accelerating development and providing high-quality infrastructure to draw international companies to Pakistan.
It was also announced that three Joint Working Group meetings on Industrial Cooperation, Gwadar, and the Long-Term Plan are scheduled for April as part of the ongoing CPEC agenda.
Concluding the meeting, Minister Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to strengthening Pakistan-China strategic ties through timely and effective implementation of CPEC projects, which are seen as pivotal to Pakistan’s economic progress.
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