ISLAMABAD: The Joint working groups on various components of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are scheduled to hold meetings during the month of August.
The joint working group on energy is scheduled to meet in first week of August, groups on transport infrastructure and Gwadar in second week and group on planning in third week of August.
This was stated by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms while chairing a high level meeting here, which reviewed the progress of the projects of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The meeting was attended by the top officials of various ministries and departments. The meeting was briefed about the progress on CPEC projects by respective ministries. The Ministry of Water and Power updated about the progress on various power projects started under CPEC.
The National Highway Authority briefed about the progress on infrastructure projects of CPEC including Karakoram Highway up gradation, western route, and Multan-Sukkur motorway whereas Gwadar Port Authority briefed about 14 Kms long Gwadar East Bay Expressway. Aviation Division briefed about progress of work on New Gawadar International Airport, which is expected to be ready by 2018.
The Ministry of Railways gave the briefing on ML-1 up-gradation, which would modernise Karachi-Peshawar track to increase speed of trains to 140 from 80 kilometer per hour. The meeting reviewed the progress on cooperation in industrial field under CPEC.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal in his introductory remarks said that $46 billion CPEC investment would prove to be a game-changer not just for Pakistan but entire region.
He said that the government was committed to ensuring a strong Pakistan through shared prosperity and inclusive development. He said that CPEC would bring dividends to all provinces and regions of Pakistan. All ministries must ensure speedy implementation of CPEC projects to seize the opportunities that are knocking at our door.
“Now we have political stability and peace conditions are improving which is helping in creating conducive investment climate in the country. We have to build on the momentum by working harder, better, and smarter”, he remarked.
The meeting reviewed the progress on Port Qasim Electric Company Coal Fired 2Sahiwal 2x660MW Coal-fired Power Plant, Punjab, Engro thar 2x330MW Coal-fired, Thar, Sindh, Surface mine in Block II of Thar Coal field,3.8 mtpa, Thar Sindh, Gawadar Coal Power Project, Gwadar, SSRL Thar Coal Block 6.5mpta &CPIH Mine Mouth Power Plant, Thar, Sindh, Quaid-e-Azam 1000MW Solar Park, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Dawood 50MW wind Farm , Bhambore, Sindh, UEP 100MW wind Farm, Jhimpir, Sindh, Sachal 50MW Wind Farm, Jhimpir, Sindh, Sunnec 50MW wind Farm, Jhimpir, Sind, Karot Hydropower Station, AJK and Punjab, HUBCO coal power plant, Hub Balochistan, Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project including mining, Punjab, Kohala Hydel Project, AJK, Pakistan Wind Farm II (Jhampir, Thatta, Sindh and Thar mine mouth oracle, Thar Sindh in energy sector.
In transport infrastructure, the meeting reviewed the progress on KKH Phase II (Raikot – Islamabad Section) and Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section) and western route.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of Havelian Dry port in rail sector projects.
