National News

ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT+APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif Monday directed setting up of industrial zones at sites
that were economically feasibile and viabile for maximum
economic returns and benefits both for China and Pakistan.
Chairing a meeting to review progress on different
projects under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) here at the PM House, the prime minister
directed the formation of a committee to suggest and advise
the Chinese government on the economic practicability and
benefits of these sites.
He said China helped Pakistan a great deal in the economic
revival at a crucial juncture for which the government and
people of Pakistan were grateful to the Chinese leadership and people.
China and Pakistan have translated their long-term
strategic ties into a strong and durable economic partnership
that would greatly benefit both the countries, he added.
The meeting reviewed the benchmarks set for numerous
energy, transport infrastructure and industrial projects with
particular focus on development and socio-economic uplift
projects in Gwadar.
The prime minister was briefed on the tentative agenda
items for the upcoming meeting of China and Pakistan’s Joint
Cooperation Committee (JCC).
Explaining the procedures for inclusion of a project in
CPEC, the meeting was informed that approval by the concerned
working group, before it was finally approved by JCC.
The prime minister directed that Karachi Circular
Railways and Keti Bunder Port project must be taken up in the
next JCC for inclusion in CPEC, as conveyed by the Sindh
government.
He said the Chinese government should be briefed on the immense economic viability of these projects so that they were included in CPEC.
The prime minister directed Minister for Planning,
Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal to consult all the chief
ministers for finalization of industrial zones’ locations in
their respective provinces.
The meeting was also briefed on the energy projects
under CPEC including coal, hydel, wind, solar, as well as
transmission lines. It was informed that infrastructure
projects including road, rail, aviation and data connectivity
were being executed on fast track.
The meeting was attended by, Federal Minister for
Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Panning, Development & Reform
Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif,
Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Chief
Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and
other senior officials of the government.