Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed the setting up of industrial zones along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at sites that will provide maximum monetary returns for both China and Pakistan.
Chairing a meeting to review the progress of different projects under the umbrella of the CPEC here at the PM House, the prime minister directed the formation of a committee to advise the Chinese government on the economic viability of these sites.
He said that China had helped Pakistan a great deal in its economic revival for which the government and the 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 which will greatly benefit both countries,” he added.
The meeting reviewed the benchmarks set for numerous energy, transport, and industrial projects with a particular focus on development and socio-economic uplift projects in Gwadar.
The prime minister was briefed on the tentative agenda items for an upcoming meeting of the China and Pakistan’s Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC).
The prime minister directed that the Karachi Circular Railways and Keti Bunder Port projects be taken up in the next meeting of the JCC for inclusion under the CPEC, as suggested by the Sindh government. He said that the Chinese government should be briefed on the immense economic viability of these projects so that they are included.
The prime minister directed the Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal to consult all the chief ministers for the finalisation of the locations of the industrial zones.
The meeting was also briefed on the energy projects under the CPEC including coal, hydro-electric, wind, and solar power plants, and transmission lines.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Minister for Ports and Shipping Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, and other senior officials of the government.
