National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar has said that Pakistan-China economic corridor would boost, trade tourism, industry and agriculture of the region.
He expressed these view while talking to a delegation of the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly. He said that communications sector has been the top priority of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The delegation was given a detailed briefing on Raikot-Islamabad Highway. NHA Member Planning Raja Nosherwan, General Manager Design Asim Ameen and other high officials were also present.
While highlighting the significance of the said project, the chairman said that the Prime Minister is putting special emphasis on China-Pak Economic Corridor so that trade ties with China and CentralStates could be further strengthened and the region could witness rapid economic growth and prosperity.
The chairman said that this highway is also important because four new dams close to this highway namely; Thakot, Pattan, Dassu and Diamer Basha have also been planned.
He said that these dams will help the country overcome its power shortage.
The delegation was told that 487 kilometres long Raikot-Islamabad Highway project is part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on which a memorandum of understanding was signed between Pakistan’s Ministry of Communications and China Road and Bridge Corporation on 19 February this year in China.