Cabinet okays Pak-China economic corridor

Sanaullah Khan Published February 23, 2015

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet during its meeting on Monday gave approval for the Pak-China economic corridor. Approval was also given along with for starting negotiations with Beijing for importing 1000 megawatts of electricity from China by laying a new transmission line.

Read: Analysis: China-Pakistan corridor or labyrinth?

The Pak-China Economic Corridor (PCEC) is the country’s biggest road project recently launched by the government. Work on one of the sections of the PCEC was initiated in December last year, under which a motorway from Havelian to Thakot as phase-I of the Islamabad-Raikot section of the corridor would be constructed.

The Havalian to Thakot section of the corridor is being financed by China while other phases will be carried out on the basis of Built Operate and Transfer (BOT).

Know more: Bids invited for Pak-China Economic Corridor project

Also during today's meeting, the cabinet took notice of alleged horse-trading taking place prior to the Senate elections of March.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed that constitutional amendments must be made to make changes in the Senate elections procedure from secret balloting to show of hands.

The premier also constituted a four member legal committee consisting Attorney General of Pakistan Salman Aslam Butt, Federal Minister Anusha Rehman and Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Khawaja Zaheer Ahmad and Barrister Zafarullah Khan. The committee has been tasked with submitting a report by Monday evening regarding reforms to stop horse-trading.

Take a look at: Votes on sale for Senate elections, claims Siraj

He further directed all federal ministers present at the meeting to contact all political parties and brief them on Senate elections reforms.

Also during the meeting, a minute of silence was observed in light of Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas' demise.

The cabinet was also scheduled to be briefed on the country's energy situation. It is expected to give approvals on an agreement for a discounted loan from China for the Karachi Nuclear Power Projects I and II as well as okay loans from Japan in order to carry out energy reforms.

The approval for commencing talks with Afghanistan for an agreement to hold preferential trade was also scheduled to be discussed in the meeting.

Agreements on protection of security-related information with Egypt and exchange of criminals with Malaysia were also on the meeting's agenda.

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responsible

Feb 23, 2015 01:29pm

Only meetings, nothing on grounds.

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nation lover

Feb 23, 2015 01:35pm

you can't get both loans from china and japan...!! either from china or japan...!!

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jack

Feb 23, 2015 01:47pm

No outcome but only discussion. After that have a big feast.

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asif

Feb 23, 2015 02:20pm

Meeting of the inept and corrupt, how will that help us?.

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Tranquil

Feb 23, 2015 02:46pm

Dear DAWN the way whole nation bashed on Pak Cricket team all TV and Print media showed it. In same way criticism to Politicians should be shown so these Politicians should know what we think about it.

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Eddie

Feb 23, 2015 02:46pm

Cabinet called to discuss 17-points on how distribute the stolen money among the members.

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Zaheer

Feb 23, 2015 02:56pm

Hope the court would not allow the nuclear power plant in Karachi.

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Kashif Jilani

Feb 23, 2015 03:31pm

Hoping this project will be taking us to prosperity.

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M. Asghar

Feb 23, 2015 03:33pm

These perpetual cabinet meetings seems to be a vicious circle for doing nothing on the ground.

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hyat

Feb 23, 2015 03:33pm

@nation lover every nation have their own interests, china is our neighbor and japan is our good friend so do not mix up things.

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Jason

Feb 23, 2015 03:48pm

Don't you need an economy for an economic corridor?

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fareed

Feb 23, 2015 03:49pm

Good news for economy if real work starts soon.

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Azmeen

Feb 23, 2015 03:51pm

@nation lover why not?

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Azmeen

Feb 23, 2015 03:53pm

These decisions will go a long way in the development of nation.

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Muhammad

Feb 23, 2015 04:09pm

Cabinet meeting...rubber stamp!

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Feb 23, 2015 04:17pm

The person who is the involved in rigging election of 2013 himself, is talking of horse trading. what a fool nation we are..... We deserve such people.

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Saleem

Feb 23, 2015 04:20pm

when will we tap the 60000 mw of hydel power?

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Hassan

Feb 23, 2015 04:26pm

Cabinet should apply a pragmatic approach rather than bland assurances. We are still confused about the route of the corridor. Rhetoric speeches are useless.

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PinchMe

Feb 23, 2015 04:36pm

Am I reading this correctly that economic corridor has been approved? What were they fighting about it for the last couple weeks about change in the corridor .....was it like "Bheek mili Nahin, mangte pehle aa Gaye"

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Saeed

Feb 23, 2015 04:39pm

We'll reap the fruit of better economy only if survived from terrorism

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Uzair Ahmad

Feb 23, 2015 05:26pm

Constitution ammendments will b applicable just after senate election so it will be of no use, it was just a get together of relatives to sit & enjoy some time together.

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citizen

Feb 23, 2015 05:42pm

We want to see a prosperous Pakistan ! Gud luk neighbours...

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Ahsanullah Mehsud

Feb 23, 2015 05:43pm

which route has been approved. will it pass through Dera Ismail Khan or will pass wholly through Punjab.

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Iqbal

Feb 23, 2015 06:06pm

Good news but the route must conjunct all provinces to take on board the sentiments of people of smaller provinces in order to lessen their sense of deprivation.

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Common man

Feb 23, 2015 06:17pm

@KK I agree to the extent that part of nation who believe on IK really fool them self

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A Shah

Feb 23, 2015 06:19pm

Haha, like they were going to object!

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Common man

Feb 23, 2015 06:21pm

@Iqbal What if some sold out people try to launch a compain that larger province should be kept out of this project?

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Azmeen

Feb 23, 2015 08:06pm

@Saeed Insha Allah we will overcome terrorism.

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m. a

Feb 23, 2015 08:59pm

The cabinets consists of Nawaz and his 3 slave ministers. They can do any thing in the Pakistan. Shahbaz and the army chief are add on.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Feb 23, 2015 09:49pm

What else can it do?

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Hari

Feb 23, 2015 09:59pm

Hope this economic corridors will help in Pakistan's economy ....

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A Khan

Feb 23, 2015 10:10pm

Please carry out study to build another corridor for the safe exit of corrupt rulers and give it top priority.

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Jatin

Feb 23, 2015 10:42pm

All the natural resources of Pakistan(especially Balochistan) would be easily transported to China through this Economic corridor..

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salman

Feb 23, 2015 10:54pm

economic corridor...I think its a huge covenent for long term prosperity for both countries...may it will not be a fake..dream

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Zak

Feb 23, 2015 11:54pm

@Jatin that's the purpose to sell resources and earn money to pay off debts and lift welfare of people. China is touching super power status. They are looking at 2050 when they take the mantle of a super power from the Americans. India has a chance to mend its ways, resolve Kashmir and become part of this dynamic trading block.

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Raja Ram

Feb 24, 2015 02:40am

@Ahsanullah Mehsud through indian punjab

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Kautiliya

Feb 24, 2015 03:01am

What does Pakistan gets out of this deal. I hope that its not crumbs.

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Janikhel

Feb 24, 2015 04:28am

This comic corridor is another farce of the present Govt., this gang in the power will buy lands in and around road routes and rental, China will sell ALL obsolete and rejected goods to the Paks, and Chinese will haul back every rock and brick back to China to fuel their ailing industry, Chinese industry either steal intellectual property or steal outright, but they will never produce quality goods, or may be they don't want to, what a sucker Nation have we become ?

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Janikhel

Feb 24, 2015 04:35am

@M. Asghar Please don't blame them, it all started on August 15, 1947, when the sabs ship anchored off the Karachi port destined to Colombo. These are stationary meetings, consoling each other and songs of praise are being showered on the dead attending these meetings with empty brains and speechless faces. Pakistan Zindabad.

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Key Points

Feb 24, 2015 06:45am

@Hassan No clarity yet? People of Pakistan still concerned if there would be any 'toll tax' money collected for use of corridore roadways. If any toll tax collected, it must come to government of pakistan, it should not go to any chinese contractors or any middle east contractor partners etc. Hope decision makers are looking out Pakistan. Land belongs to people of Pakistan, and people of pakistan do not want to be paying foreighers any toll tax for use of roads in their own country, year after year, generation after generation. Any wrong decision, that goes against the interest of pakistani people must be challenged in court & reversed in favour of pakistani people. Pakistani nation needs to know full details about this national project. No sense giving away any thing for free.

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ASHFAQ ALI

Feb 24, 2015 06:45am

The approval of "Changed/tempered" corridor.

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1for4

Feb 24, 2015 08:43am

@Zak In your dreams... keep dreaming that you're the crossroads of the world.. and everyone is at your doorsteps and looking for any positive sign

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Usman

Feb 24, 2015 11:22am

This is a sign of positive development. We as a peaceful nation is working on developmental projects like infrastructure and economic projects whereas our Indian counterparts are bent on making this region fragile and war prone.

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Biaa Shahid

Feb 24, 2015 11:33am

Pakistan is the first South Asian country to sign a free trade agreement and currency swap agreement with China and is also the largest destination of Chinese investment in South Asia. China is Pakistan's second largest trading partner and fourth largest export market. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has the potential to turn Pakistan into a hub of regional cooperation. If Pakistan uses this opportunity wisely and is able to reap the economic benefits this corridor has to offer, it can greatly enhance its regional power and prestige and prove a more valuable long-term ally for Beijing. The Pak-China corridor will in fact be a game changer in the region.”

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Nawaz

Feb 24, 2015 01:08pm

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be of important economic, diplomatic, security and strategic significance. It will open new areas for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and offer a new force for their economic integration. It will also further expand the depth and breadth of bilateral strategic cooperation and push their strategic cooperative partnership to a new level.

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Loki

Feb 24, 2015 01:15pm

Taking a longer perspective, the corridor, after its completion, will become a kind of economic community that can link the Asian continent to the Indian Ocean, and thus its functions and influences will extend to adjacent East, South, Central and Western Asian regions.

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Saba

Feb 24, 2015 01:16pm

This will produce significant influences on the geo-economy and change the established economic and trade pattern in Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean region.

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Ahmed Raza

Feb 24, 2015 11:38pm

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will expand the depth and breadth of their bilateral strategic relations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, relations between China and Pakistan have stood the test of time and the changes in the international situation; they have become all-weather strategic and cooperative partners.

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