PM Khan reviews CPEC projects ahead of second China visit

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

PM Khan reviews CPEC projects ahead of second China visit

Sanaullah Khan Published April 11, 2019

The prime minister says that "CPEC is not only one of the foremost priorities of the government but that he also wants other countries to join the project so that a new chapter of growth and prosperity is ushered in the region." ─ RadioPakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday, during a high-level meeting on his upcoming visit of China, said that his government's focus during the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be on agriculture, education and various other sectors.

The prime minister, who is scheduled to embark on his second visit of Beijing later this month, reviewed preparations regarding mutually beneficial projects that Pakistan and China are expected to initiate as part of the CPEC.

The premier, according to a press release issued by the PM's office, remarked that the "first phase of CPEC comprised merely of a few power plants and three roads."

Read: Four key areas under CPEC prioritised

"Meanwhile, in the second phase, under the incumbent government, agriculture, education, health, water, skill-based education, skill development, transport projects and upgrading of Main Line-1 will be done," he added.

The prime minister said that "CPEC is not only one of the foremost priorities of the government but that he also wants other countries to join the project so that a new chapter of growth and prosperity is ushered in the region."

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for National Food Security and Research Sahibzada Mahboob Sultan, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan and other government officials.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

CPEC CPEC Projects

Four key areas under CPEC prioritised

CPEC and the ‘Great Game’

Strategic confines of CPEC

Pakistani

Apr 11, 2019 11:12pm

If government pays more attention and respect local businesses and give them opportunities others will follow. Trying to attract foreign companies not working for Pakistan for last 30 years now time to be honest with our self and pay attention to uplift our people by supporting them unconditionally.

Recommend 0

kamal

Apr 11, 2019 11:44pm

Recommend 0

zunaid, India

Apr 11, 2019 11:50pm

Trust me...no country will help you develop. You have to fight for development yourself in this world. Learn from India.

Recommend 0

Bajake Thokdia

Apr 11, 2019 11:56pm

Cpec will get Pakistan free of all problems.

Recommend 0

Dr. Faazil Ahmed

Apr 12, 2019 12:17am

Please review the terms agreed upon by the previous corrupt regimes and make it public. Fulfill your promise about Naya Pakistan IK. We trust in you.

Recommend 0

Lone star

Apr 12, 2019 12:38am

Review it how, it's in Chinese

Recommend 0

MAkram

Apr 12, 2019 12:50am

@zunaid, India, No thanks. Pakistan dont need to learn from India. China our best friend Pakistan will learn from China. China economy more strong than india

Recommend 0

Wasi

Apr 12, 2019 01:18am

We need to improve our industry and manufacturing base along with more projects in energy sector.

Recommend 0

Rols

Apr 12, 2019 01:19am

The main backbone of a strong economy is domestic industrialization. If CPEC would achieve that, i am all for it. However my honest thought so far is this is totally a one sided project

Recommend 0

Wasi

Apr 12, 2019 01:23am

Without solid infrastructure base no country could develop and this project helped connecting the local markets.

Recommend 0

RIZ

Apr 12, 2019 01:28am

Best thing can be done using CPEC platform by creating opportunities for Pakistanis and for Pakistan business community. Pakistanis also he to be honest to themselves by keeping Pakistan first and not try to use this just to put max money to their pockets. Hope this will turn out to be the great project for Pakistan future. All the Best!!!

Recommend 0

Akber

Apr 12, 2019 01:37am

Another disaster in the making as our handsome PM has no clue about CPEC.

Recommend 0

Nasir

Apr 12, 2019 01:46am

I wonder if PM Khan now knows about Chinese govt treatment of Uighurs. PM Khan has previously mentioned that he wasn't aware of that. I wonder if he will bring it up to his Chinese counterparts during his meetings.

Recommend 0

Just Saying

Apr 12, 2019 01:48am

Eight months in office, time for second China visit, second Turkey visit, second Malaysia visit, second Saudi visit, did I miss anyone? Didn't Nawaz also spend 5 years visiting the same places!

Recommend 0

EXPERT

Apr 12, 2019 01:50am

As it is often said by ruling government that previous parties did nothing but today everything is at high price and hope we reviewed the CPEC and make the state prosperous . Only hope

Recommend 0

Erum Aziz

Apr 12, 2019 02:16am

Lala ji Govt.should help local Pakistanis to establish business. Taxes will come only if People are able to pay them otherwise people would start selling themselves. Small loans to establish new business (2-5 lacs) without any interest would help people to create jobs. Daily Bazars should be checked. Federal Govt. price control list should be provided to each seller especially in Karachi. Sellers can hire a spot for free, electricity should be free, it encourage other educated people to start their business. If govt. waived off application service charges for Wapda, K-Electric, Sui gas, PTCL, etc I personally believe more than 75% people would registered themselves in this network. So first waive off all the service prices, allow the citizen to register themselves and come into this network later put taxes and slowly increase them. First provide them some jobs later people would start paying taxes. Construct roads, free schooling and quit qota system. All control by Federal govt.

Recommend 0

Zak

Apr 12, 2019 03:34am

More loans, more debt and of course more U-turns by PTI

Recommend 0

Syed Nazim

Apr 12, 2019 04:04am

In January this year Prime Minister Imran Khan had different priorities of CPEC projects with emphasis on four Special Economic Zones(SEZ).He wanted to inaugurate first such zone in June this year. Within three months he says some thing else. SEZ projects are most important from the point of real investment to boost industry and generate employment.Why has PM placed it on back burner.

Recommend 0

Pervez

Apr 12, 2019 04:13am

2nd China visit for what?

Recommend 0

Ranjha

Apr 12, 2019 04:23am

All the best, Khan Sahib. We all look up to you to get us out of this morasse and into a brighter future!

Recommend 0

farooq shaikh

Apr 12, 2019 04:23am

@Pakistani , Sir with due respect in the last thirty years looters, thugs, embezzlers, thieves were busy in depriving Pakistan from every and any resource. They were more interested in personnel development at the cost of Pakistan. we have to under stand that.

Recommend 0

Apr 12, 2019 04:27am

When in a hole, keep digging... You couldn’t afford phase 1 and the economy is collapsing from the mountain of debt. How is the much bigger phase 2 going to be funded?

Recommend 0

Nasir

Apr 12, 2019 04:44am

@zunaid, India, Agreed 100%

Recommend 0

Saeed

Apr 12, 2019 04:47am

@zunaid, India, After WWII, US helped develop Europe with Marshal Plan, helped South Korea and Taiwan. India had been getting development aid as a developing country and in fact still getting. However, only those countries develop themselves who have the motivation to stand on their feet initially with others help.

Recommend 0

Gopal Patel

Apr 12, 2019 04:53am

The deal should be transparent.

Recommend 0

Raj

Apr 12, 2019 04:56am

First phase of CPEC comprised merely of a few power plants and three roads. Many believed it as Game changer. Good, truth is slowly coming out.

Recommend 0

A&A

Apr 12, 2019 05:15am

@Bajake Thokdia, New problem begins after that.....

Recommend 0

A&A

Apr 12, 2019 05:16am

@Pakistani , I support your Ideas..

Recommend 0

P L Bakhshi

Apr 12, 2019 05:28am

While the PM with his high profile team will be in China again, there is a word of caution, he must keep in mind the potent advice advanced by the global lenders viz., IMF and World Bank as mentioned in detail in today’s Dawn as a lead story. Both, the Bank and IMF are reported to be working together to bring about more transparency and are constantly encouraging both borrowers and lenders to align as much as possible with the debt principles set by international organizations. This is a reminder to Pakistan to urge caution with their all weather friend China’s loans.

Recommend 0

Fawad bhai

Apr 12, 2019 05:41am

@kamal, Saudia already joined.. Iran and Afghanistan can benefit from it as well. UAE, Behrain Qatar etc

Recommend 0

Fawad bhai

Apr 12, 2019 05:43am

@zunaid, India, India is hardly the model Pakistan should follow. India like Pakistan needs to spend money on its poor.

Recommend 0

Ali

Apr 12, 2019 06:21am

@zunaid, India, Well said.. Fully agree

Recommend 0

Ash Khan

Apr 12, 2019 06:23am

Anyone who thinks that the Chinese are interested in Pakistan’s development need look no further than their treatment of their own ethnic Muslim populations. The Chinese modus operandi is to pick a weak government, give them loans at high interest rates and build them projects using their own labor and then sit back and enjoy the returns regardless of whether the project makes a profit or is even needed in the first place. I am certain that the next global recession will be triggered when borrowers start defaulting on these Chinese loans.

Recommend 0

Khurram

Apr 12, 2019 06:28am

What happened to the poll promise of making CPEC terms public?

Recommend 0

Bipul

Apr 12, 2019 06:31am

China didn’t even let labourers from Pakistan to work on CPEC and IK is expecting them to invest in Pakistan’s social development!

Recommend 0

Satya Jeet

Apr 12, 2019 06:39am

For Pakistan it may be anything. For China, CPEC was always a Business Investment with above market guaranteed returns. For China, CPEC is not a Social Upliftment Project.

Recommend 0

shahid

Apr 12, 2019 06:47am

They should have included electricity distribution networks up gradation in the second phase. We have a capacity of 30,000 MW today but can not supply it to the consumer.

Recommend 0

Abdul Gaffar

Apr 12, 2019 06:48am

@Bajake Thokdia, "Cpec will get Pakistan free of all problems." Only after loans get paid back, Chinese will milk it first.

Recommend 0

Baazigar

Apr 12, 2019 06:55am

When is PM visiting America and Europe ?

Recommend 0

ANURAG Gautam

Apr 12, 2019 07:06am

Modi has pledged to invest 1.44 trillion in Indian Infrastructure so please we Indians do not require cpec, please keep it with you, but mind you with out acess to indian market cpec is a big zero, Pakistan can not compete in Chinese market ( not even India and America , big trade deficit)

Recommend 0

Prateik

Apr 12, 2019 07:22am

China has already reviewed and finalized it.

Recommend 0

VIMLA R DHARAWAT

Apr 12, 2019 07:25am

Look around which country has benefited from Chinies investment! Self help is best help please learn from your 70 yrs of history.

Recommend 0

Mansur Ul Haque

Apr 12, 2019 07:34am

That is the way to do it. Before visiting China you should be clear what to talk and to negotiate that are best for you. Your goals of negotiation should be clear so during negotiation you can make emphasis on those points. One can not achieve all it's goal in negotiations as negotiation means give and take. But at least one knows what is best for it. This is the second visit of I'mran Khan to China and it is hoped that performance of Pakistan team to China will be alot better than last time.

Recommend 0

Indian pk

Apr 12, 2019 07:36am

@Bajake Thokdia, there is no single medicine for all your problems. All should be handled separately

Recommend 0

Chinpaksaddique

Apr 12, 2019 07:51am

This is the biggest news around the world. The China Pak cooperation is seeing new heights under PMIK and the most excellent and extremely honourable president of China JinPing. I hope a very huge sum is granted for free for all the support we show. Love live blood brothers.

Recommend 0

pkthakur0610 .

Apr 12, 2019 07:55am

Pakistan can reap the benefits of CPEC if all work force engaged is local. Locally available material is used even if Chinese material is cheaper. Since in an odd situation in the south China sea CPEC will be life line for China she should honesty recognise it by reducing the interest rate below IMF. All possible method what ever harsher it may be should be used to make the whole process corruption free.

Recommend 0

Chinpaksaddique

Apr 12, 2019 07:55am

@EXPERT , that is a very good hope. Only 2 months left for the economic boom.

Recommend 0

Sampad

Apr 12, 2019 08:10am

How many Pak citizens still think CPEC to be gamechanger and solver of all economy related problems?

Recommend 0

Nav

Apr 12, 2019 08:12am

CPEC has killed Pakistani industries. Pakistan market is flooded with Chinese goods, creating jobs in China. Ideally, SME sector and large industries in Pakistan should produce goods, creating jobs and wealth within Pakistan. Now, China is minting money inside Pakistan and giving same money to Pakistan as loan.

Recommend 0

F35

Apr 12, 2019 08:17am

" "CPEC is not only one of the foremost priorities of the government but that he also wants other countries to join the project so that a new chapter of growth and prosperity is ushered in the region."" Too much concern for the region too little for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

khan

Apr 12, 2019 08:26am

"CPEC is not only one of the foremost priorities of the government but that he also wants other countries to join the project so that a new chapter of growth and prosperity is ushered in the region." Sounds like it came straight from Chinese PR.

Recommend 0

F35

Apr 12, 2019 08:29am

What does China want re CPEC? A gurantee that all its loans will in reality be returned.

Recommend 0

Kunal, Gurgaon

Apr 12, 2019 08:35am

@Fawad bhai: In the past 70 years, Pakistan has followed every model and has failed.

Recommend 0

MAGAMAN

Apr 12, 2019 08:35am

Once CPEC is complete Pakistan will be Switzerland of Asia.

Recommend 0

Imtiaz Ali Khan

Apr 12, 2019 08:39am

SinoPak Iron Brothers 4 Life!

Recommend 0

F35

Apr 12, 2019 08:42am

" "CPEC is not only one of the foremost priorities of the government but that he also wants other countries to join the project so that a new chapter of growth and prosperity is ushered in the region."" So the regional countries should join in agriculture, education, health, water, skill-based education, skill development, transport projects!

Recommend 0

Chowkidar

Apr 12, 2019 08:53am

In China agriculture is state owned. Replicating their model will be difficult because Pakistan has still not tackled waderas and zamindars 70 years after partition. Where are the land reforms?

Recommend 0

Anjali

Apr 12, 2019 09:07am

What will happen when CPEC loans have to be paid back? With interest. Who will bail Pakistan out then?

Recommend 0

khamari

Apr 12, 2019 09:16am

@Fawad bhai, what percent of your GDP spent you in your development project.Have you money?

Recommend 0

Indian009

Apr 12, 2019 09:23am

In short now CPEC-2 will be sold as game changer for next five years. In recent past Thar coal, CPEC, Oil, Gas, now CPEC-2.

Recommend 0

Jay

Apr 12, 2019 09:41am

Pajistan government is giving undue importance to CPEC. 55 billion USD loan cannot be called FDI and a game changer. This is far less than India's annual trade with China which has crossed 100 Billion USD. It may be recalled that, every country who partnered with China's debt funding for development model has beame bankrupt and ultimately surrenderd their territorial sovereignty.

Recommend 0

Simo H

Apr 12, 2019 09:45am

Where’s the game changer?

Recommend 0

Jay

Apr 12, 2019 09:49am

@Saeed, Aids and loans are different. Have you ever heard India agreed with its lender Tax free trade, unrestricted entry and settlement of lenders? In India, any citizens who can pay Rs.20.00 can get attested copy of the loan agreement government signed with its counterpart. Whereas in Pakistan, even your MPs are clueless about CPEC agreement and it's terms and conditions.

Recommend 0

Zak

Apr 12, 2019 10:03am

@zunaid, India, India has not properly developed and US is helping a lot because it wants india to be guinea bag for China. Otherwise ,India would be in trouble.

Recommend 0

Daskalos

Apr 12, 2019 10:16am

Even first phase of roads completion under CPEC are still pending, so what's the use of PM traipsing off to China? He should be home to get the work done at this end and also keep an eye on his useless team that is making a mess of our national economy. Is this a time for foreign tours? Can't he hold video conferencing or telephone calls with our close Chinese neighbors? What's the difference between him and earlier leaders?

Recommend 0

Waqar Hussain

Apr 12, 2019 10:22am

It's very tough time for the prime minister of Pakistan to face the challenges, but I like khan sahab he is doing very well. because he is the only prime minister who stood up against corruption and to eradicate the financial crisis from pakistan...

Recommend 0

Khurram

Apr 12, 2019 10:32am

PTI modus operandi: Previous government has immersed Pakistan in IMF loans, we will never go to IMF (well, we are going to IMF), previous gov has hidden CPEC terms and condition we will make them public (well, we are not making them public), previous gov has not promoted local industries (well, we will promote Chinese industries), previous gov has run amnesty schemes and legalized corruption (well, we will also run amnesty schemes), previous gov has bought luxury assets which we will sell (well, we will buy them again at higher cost), previous gov has made life difficult for poor and needy (well, inflation will be high for few years), previous gov ...

Recommend 0

Rahul

Apr 12, 2019 10:37am

From roads to education everything China will give. What a vision for naya Pakistan..

Recommend 0

Rahul

Apr 12, 2019 10:41am

@MAkram, Akram learning days have gone even if you want you cannot learn. Yes Bangaladesh they did learn look they growing at 7% and I never saw any news of Bangladeshi premier traveling international for loans ...

Recommend 0

Nafiza

Apr 12, 2019 10:54am

Our aim should be to make sure Its China-Pakistan Economic corridor and not China's Pakistan Economic corridor.

Recommend 0

F35

Apr 12, 2019 11:07am

The premier, according to a press release issued by the PM's office, remarked that the "first phase of CPEC comprised merely of a few power plants and three roads." What about the gwadar port?

Recommend 0

Simba

Apr 12, 2019 11:32am

@Fawad bhai, name the country which has no poor.

Recommend 0

Zeshan Ali

Apr 12, 2019 11:38am

CPEC is game changer, it'd make regional countries connected with each other. If india contributes in it then it'd be best kick for them they can alleviate the poverty & can easily be connected with the big markets of Central Asia. If india doesnt respond in this regard then it'd miss the boat. In upcoming days pplz 'd realise "Tabdili" a change in positive way.

Recommend 0

Usman

Apr 12, 2019 11:41am

We are so lucky indians have such a generous interest in our welfare when it comes to cpec.

Recommend 0

Gagan

Apr 12, 2019 12:24pm

@MAkram, atleast learn from China, they did not took loans to build motorways...

Recommend 0

Qadir

Apr 12, 2019 01:07pm

@Bipul Pakistanies are working in CPEC. Infact most of the projects are being handled by Pakistani companies. Even in projects where Chinese companies are invilved heavy local labour and management is involved. how I know about it? half of my village is working in a project under Chinese compny. And locals are happy as CPEC brought jobs to the remotest of places.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 12, 2019 01:10pm

Welcome to the CPEC club and it's main clubhouse. Keep it up and hang on tough.

Recommend 0

Minhaj Khokhar Silicon Valley

Apr 12, 2019 01:30pm

Plz review all CPEC projects. Pakistan is already paying $143 million/yr in loan payment back to China. And, this is just for the power projects alone. Additional roads and rails charges will be coming soon. Canceling of RY Khan power plant was a good decision. Plz cancel Karachi's 2 nuclear plants. They are based on Westinghouse's experimental design causing bankruptcy. They are fiscal and existential threat to Pakistan. Fukushima cleanup cost for Japan has been $188B going to $680B for the next 30 yrs. Pakistan will not survive such an accident. Replace Gwadar's imported coal-fired 300MW plant to Solar. It will cost less and be more efficient with no environmental damage. Just two examples. But while reviewing CPEC, plz start your own industrial life-cycles of Renewable Energy, Digital Transformation, Science and Tech, and Agriculture 4.0. Chinese agri solutions are more synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Not a Solution for Pakistan. Develop Organic agro as an industry.

Recommend 0

Welcome

Apr 12, 2019 01:54pm

News coming in on how Malaysia renegotiated the halted railway deal with China.

Recommend 0

The_real_salaria

Apr 12, 2019 02:08pm

@Usman, a stable Pakistan is in India's interest

Recommend 0

Shah

Apr 12, 2019 02:33pm

Roads do not generate wealth nor do transit. When will Pakistani politicians understand this? Here Chinese are lending money so their transit points can be built which will save them billions and Pakistan has to pay back the constructionmoney. What crazy business practise is this???

Recommend 0

Sharad

Apr 12, 2019 02:36pm

@MAkram, be +ve bro

Recommend 0

Ahmad

Apr 12, 2019 02:38pm

What has happens to revival of Karachi Circular Railway ?. The city which provides the lions share of taxes and yet its development concerns are not met. On the other hand PTI in Peshawar has the BRT at inflated prices (i.e Corruption, mismanagement) and still not fully functional. What a shame. Is this Naya Pakistan ?.

Recommend 0

Shahid Ali

Apr 12, 2019 03:22pm

@kamal, China is the world's largest importer of oil and other energy resources. With the discovery of shale energy, the US is now on its way to reduce its dependency on middle Eastern oil and energy resources. CPEC offers a massive opportunity to Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries of the Middle East/ Persian Gulf region to redirect the supplies of their oil and other energy resources to China. Agreement for establishing an oil refinery in Gwadar indicates that Middle East has already signaled its intentions to become a part of CPEC. of-course Pakistan will also get benefit from this move in the form of FDI, increased energy supplies, technology transfer, human resource development and job creation. But Pakistan needs to pay attention to initiate SEZs and include the agriculture sector in the official CPEC portfolio. Indeed, Agriculture sector which is the back bone of Pakistan's economy is the biggest missing link of CPEC.

Recommend 0

Shahid Ali

Apr 12, 2019 03:47pm

Success of CPEC depends on these key factors, 1: initiation of proposed SEZs. China itself achieved rapid economic growth by establishing SEZs in Tianjin, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Guangzhou. 30 years back all of these regions were underdeveloped and poor and now they are the locomotives of China's economy. 2: Inclusion of Agriculture sector in CPEC. China's annual imports of agro and Agri-processed and other dairy products are over $75 billion. Pakistan being an agricultural country can take advantage of that by asking China to reduce tariffs on Pakistani agro-realted exports. 3: since and technology cooperation between China and Pakistan 4: Re-negotiated China Pakistan bilateral FTA. 5: decentralization of CPEC decision making 6: and importantly, a zero tolerance for corruption

Recommend 0

Mohan

Apr 13, 2019 03:22pm

@Baazigar, What for?

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Indus Cloud signs strategic partnership agreement with PTCL to deliver cloud excellence

The partnership marks a significant step in Indus Cloud’s and PTCL’s joint efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s cloud and data centre infrastructure and expand access to enterprise-grade digital services in the country.