ISLAMABAD: Planning and Development Minister Khusro Bakhtiar said on Wednesday that imports from China have reached $18 billion and the country needs to adopt import substitution policies for which government is devising policy packages.

Addressing the annual meeting of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists, he said China-Pakistan Economic Cor­ridor (CPEC) is an opportunity for growth and prosperity to both countries.

Bakhtiar said the government was devising a strategy to shield most vulnerable segments of society against the price hikes in the 53 essential commodities as reflected in Sensitive Price Index.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2018