PR No. 197 CPEC Projects worth $ 18 billion under construction & $ 17 billion in pipeline: Ahsan Islamabad

Federal Minister for Planning , Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that out of $ 46 billion projects under CPEC,  projects  worth 18 $ billion had already hit the ground while 17 $billion were in pipe line. This is a record in our development history of translating MOUs into action.

While talking to the Press Officers appointed in different countries here in Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform , Minister emphasized to promote the positive image of the country by having clear tangible goals . He further added that brand Pakistan is all about showing positive image of our country to the world. ”We need to highlight the strengths of our country as we need to create positive narrative of the country”, he said .

He told the press officers that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not just road network rather it is the framework of co-operation, which consist of  Energy, Infrastructure, Gwadar and Industrial zones. ”It is not bilateral project but a regional project which would benefit 3 billion people of region. CPEC Project is the fusion of Pakistan Vision 2025 and China One Belt One Road Vision  and it is not a security project but an economic project” , he added

About Western route he said that misconceptions about the change in route was based on misunderstanding as there was no route agreement between Pakistan and china prior to 2013. He further added that Gwadar-Quetta route would be completed by December 2016 while Gwadar -Khuzdar -Ratodero road would also complete on stipulated time. He said, Motorway from Havalian to Thakot and Multan?Sukkur of Lahore?Karachi Motorway was being completed at a fast pace. The road from Burhan to DI Khan would be completed by June 2018, he added. One Industrial zone would be completed in each province to distribute equal benefits among all provinces.

Ahsan Iqbal said that different energy projects under CPEC would help to overcome energy crisis by 2018 as 35$ billion will be spent in energy sector through private investment.  He informed that Gwadar Airport and Eastbay Expressway in Gwadar are in advanced stages and will hit ground breaking within couple of months. He said that  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of CPEC was signed in 2013 and this paper work was converted into $46 billion investment within one year. This shows the commitment of both China and Pakistan , he added

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