KARACHI: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has said that all projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be completed on time.
He said this while visiting the head office of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) during a seminar on the proposed economic zones to Gwadar Kashgar Corridor.
The minister said that the CPEC is fast turning into an economic reality and is gradually dispelling all doubts that some people have had about its viability and security.
For the first time, Fitch Ratings has assigned Pakistan a long-term foreign and local currency issuer default rating of ‘B’ with a stable outlook. In its report, it mentioned that the CPEC initiative could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s economic fundamentals. However, it said that the rate of progress with the scheme and the cost of any debt financing incurred by the Pakistani sovereign remains to be seen.
“Whatever little doubts that foreign rating agencies or media have about CPEC is because of the speculations of Pakistani media. I once again assure you all that the government of Pakistan is going to complete all CPEC projects on time,” he said while referring to Fitch report on Pakistan.
The business people and industrialists who attended the meeting urged the federal minister to ensure one-window operations for Gwadar port and its related projects.
