CPEC a manifestation of Pak-China multi-dimensional partnership: PM Imran

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday while lauding the time-tested friendship with China, said Beijing had always supported Pakistan during the difficult times and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a manifestation of this multi-dimensional partnership between the two countries.

The prime minister was chairing a high level review meeting to ascertain progress on different CPEC projects. Minister for Economic Affairs Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Advisor Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, CPEC Authority Chairman Lt Gen (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Naya Pakistan Housing Programme Chairman Lt Gen (r) Anwar Ali Haider and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Imran Khan said the ongoing development projects under the CPEC should be fast-tracked for timely completion and directed to give a final shape to the consultation process of the future projects on priority. He also observed that Chinese experiences in the social sector, especially for the eradication of poverty and promotion of agriculture, must be fully explored.

The prime minister directed the CPEC Authority to accelerate implementation pace on the different projects under the second phase on priority.

Giving direction for early finalization and completion of these projects, the relevant ministries were directed to set completion period and emphasized upon making the inter-ministerial coordination more effective to achieve desired results within appointed time frame.

The prime minister also directed to brief him in the upcoming review meeting on these projects falling under the CPEC second phase, including their completion period, implementation, removal of hurdles and the future mechanism.

The prime minister was briefed in details over the progress on the short, medium and long terms CPEC projects.

The meeting was apprised about the first phase of CPEC projects in energy, road and rail networks and the Gwadar Port and the second phase projects including industrialization cooperation, promotion of agriculture, social and economic progress, tourism and others.

It was informed that majority of the projects in the energy and road networks had been completed whereas work on the Gwadar Port and airport was under progress phase-wise.

The Orange Line project was completed while consultation process over feasibility of Quetta railway was underway. The prime minister had already laid foundation stone of the Allama Iqbal Special Economic Zone while Rashakai’s was expected in the next month.

The bidding process for Dhabeji economic zone would be completed soon, it was further informed. The meeting also took stock of different proposals regarding proposed projects under CPEC phase two, in the education and health sectors, housing scheme for the low income groups, poverty reduction, Ehsas poverty programme and eradication of malnutrition and stunting issues.