ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting composed of all relevant federal government organizations’ representatives to review latest implementation status over 49 decisions taken during Pak-Afghanistan 8th Session of Joint Economic Commissions’ deliberations.
The Minister noted that release of additional funding for Pakistan’s ongoing projects in Afghanistan has already been announced by the Prime Minister and all GOP organizations, needed to expedite implementation of ongoing projects in consideration of commitments earlier agreed between the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Minister further directed all the stakeholders to clearly draw a roadmap and timeline agreed between the relevant counterparts of two governments, adding that all federal government organizations should ensure implementation of bilaterally agreed projects in Afghanistan expeditiously.
During the course of discussion, Secretary Economic Affairs Divisions briefed the Minister over the status of 49 decisions taken during 8th Pak-Afghan Joint Economic Commission held in 2012. Secretary EAD intimated that so far 15 decision items have been implemented and implementation on the remaining items stands sped up.
Dar was briefed that the decisions taken during Pak-Afghanistan 8th Session JEC related to power and petroleum sector, highways and communications, planning and development, economy and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan.
The meeting reviewed latest update made available by various federal government ministries on the subjects pivoting around completion of Thorkham-Jalalabad Carriageway, Chaman, Spin-Boldak railway line, enhancement in number of educational scholarships supporting Afghan students studies in various Pakistani Universities and Professional Colleges, besides CASA-1000MW power import transmission lines passing through Afghanistan and visa facilitation for both countries’ citizens/workers employed on development projects implementation in two countries.
