Work on Eastern Corridor to be accelerated: Khusro Bakhtiar

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtiar here on Monday said that work on Eastern Corridor from Sukkur to Hyderabad would be accelerated.

He said this while talking to Chinese ambassador Mr. Yao Jing, who called on him at his office in Islamabad today.

According to a statement issued from the ministry, the two dignitaries expressed satisfaction over the pace of projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework .

Bakhtiar said that the current government was committed to fast track the progress on this flagship project between Pakistan and China. He appreciated the Chinese leadership and government for expanding the scope of CPEC by including socio-economic and agriculture sector development under its platform.

Bakhtiar noted that signing of framework agreement on agriculture cooperation was a major milestone adding that Pakistan would welcome Chinese agriculture companies to explore investment opportunities for initiation of joint ventures.

He apprised, “The Chinese ambassador that less developed areas including the merged districts of KP and Balochistan have been accorded priority in the next year’s development budget.”

The minister said that Gwadar smart port city master plan will be finalized soon which will chalk away out the way forward for development of the coastal city.

Various projects under CPEC framework including 300 MW coal based power plant in Gwadar and Kohala hydro power station also came under discussion.