Stalled CPEC projects to be revived

Published October 12, 2019
Pakistan and China on Friday vowed to restart stalled schemes under the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. — AP/File
Pakistan and China on Friday vowed to restart stalled schemes under the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. — AP/File

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Friday vowed to restart stalled schemes under the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The decision was made during the 7th meeting of the CPEC’s Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure. The meeting took place a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s returned to the country following a two-day official visit to China where he met with the Chinese leadership. The two countries reaffirmed their commitments to complete under progress CPEC projects.

According to the spokesman for the Ministry of Communication, the meeting discussed ongoing and future CPEC projects.

The Chinese side was led by Chief Planner HoD China Wang Zhiqing while the Pakistani delegation was led by Secretary Communications Jawwad Rafique Malik.

The Chinese side expressed satisfaction on the quality and timely completion of CPEC projects. The delegation — comprising of Chinese ministers of transport and railways as well as Exim Bank China representatives — stressed upon the need for earlier start of future schemes.

The meeting also commended the completion of Multan-Sukkur Motorway (M-5) and Thakot-Havelian project.

It was decided that both the projects will be inaugurated in a befitting manner as they have great significance from economic point of view for Pakistan.

The meeting agreed to undertake practical steps for start D.I. Khan-Zhob project. China also assured to extend all cooperation including technical consultation and exchange of information and technology to make Highway and Research Centre (HRC) more active.

The meeting agreed for earlier start of a study on CPEC traffic to extend the range of research and training in roads sector. Improvement and rehabilitation of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), development of Gwadar Port and Lahore Orange Line Projects were also discussed in detail.

The meeting also reviewed the security measures for the CPEC projects.

The meeting also discussed various aspects of upcoming schemes of Peshawar-D.I.Khan Motorway, realignment of KKH from Thakot to Raikot and Swat Expressway from Chakdara to Fatehpur.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2019

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Rushed legislation
Updated 06 Nov, 2024

Rushed legislation

For all its stress on "supremacy of parliament", the ruling coalition has wasted no opportunity to reiterate where its allegiances truly lie.
Jail reform policy
06 Nov, 2024

Jail reform policy

THE state is making a fresh attempt to improve conditions in Pakistan’s penitentiaries by developing a national...
BISP overhaul
06 Nov, 2024

BISP overhaul

IT has emerged that the spouses of over 28,500 Sindh government employees have been illicitly benefiting from BISP....
Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....