Prime
Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired meeting of the Cabinet Committee on
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at PM’s Office today.
The
meeting reviewed progress on various CPEC projects in view of the upcoming 7thmeeting
of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC). Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for
Interior; and the Planning Commission of Pakistan presented an overall
structure of CPEC, its institutional framework, project portfolios, current
progress and future plans. The Cabinet Committee reviewed progress on Road
Infrastructure Projects and their projected completion dates. The Railways
Division made a presentation on feasibility of ML1 project including its
detailed design and financing plan. Aviation Division presented detailed design
and financing plan of Gawadar International Airport. The Cabinet Committee was
briefed on Energy Sector Projects including Gawadar Power Project, Karot and
Kohala Hydel Power Projects, Mattiari-Lahore and Mattiari-Faisalabad HVDC Lines
and coal projects in Thar.
The
Cabinet Committee was informed that significant work has been completed on
Energy Projects, which constituted a major portion of the CPEC. The Committee
was also apprised regarding the measures undertaken for security of CPEC projects.
The Prime Minister stated that CPEC offers a huge opportunity for Pakistan.
Provincial governments were involved in all stages of the CPEC planning with
special focus on the development of Balochistan, stated the Prime Minister. The
meeting was attended by Hafiz Abdul Kareem Minister for Communications, Mr.
Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Interior, Khawaja Saad Rafiq Minister for Railways,
Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz Deputy
Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Miftah Ismaeel Special Assistant
to PM, senior officials of Cabinet Division, Planning Division, Finance
Division, Railways Division, Power Division, Petroleum Division, FBR, NHA,
Economic Affairs Division, Maritime Affairs Division and Board of Investment.
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