ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday threatened actions over slackness in implementation of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and asked provinces and agencies to follow standard templates for inclusion of future projects and new areas in the bilateral framework.
“The timely completion of ongoing projects in the energy sector is top priority of the government and it will not tolerate negligence of any kind,” said Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal while presiding over a meeting to review progress of CPEC projects.
A participant said that the minister did not like vague and incomplete responses to various timelines and deadlines set for some projects. He said specific actions with their implementation timelines should be available while reviewing their progress.
“Besides power generation projects, transmission and distribution schemes be implemented, so that the system can meet future needs,” he directed.
The minister stressed that energy projects under CPEC should be made environmental friendly by using modern technology and according to the international laws and their environmental impact assessment studies should not be delayed.
The minister also asked the provincial governments to follow standard templates for submission of project briefs and documents for inclusion in the long term (up to 2030) CPEC framework by the governments of Pakistan and China.
An official explained that these guidelines were critical as the two governments graduate the $54 billion framework from first two phases – early harvest and priority projects – mostly covering transport, energy and mass transit to the long term areas of agriculture, science and technology, climate or other areas.
The provinces had already been given an overview of the future programmes in line with decisions of the 6th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) late last year in Beijing.
The provincial governments have now been asked to submit their comments latest by March 9 for sharing it with the Chinese side so that formal agreements could be signed on March 31. He said CPEC projects already in the pipeline relating to energy, Gwadar, motorways and other sectors would be completed in the targeted time frame.
The meeting directed the infrastructure group to ensure timely implementation of newly approved road projects.
“Steering mechanism shall be formed immediately by National Highway Authority along with provincial representatives for new road projects agreed in 6th JCC,” the minister said. The minister asked the authorities to initiate construction work on road projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the rehabilitation and dualisation of Indus Highway from Kohat to Lakki Marwat.
He urged that local administration and elected representatives should be taken onboard to decide compensation for land acquisition for roads projects.
The meeting also instructed the authorities concerned to complete projects in different sectors including education, health, water supply professional education and technical skills according to international standards.
