Planning Minister directs stakeholders to expedite implementation of CPEC projects

The 11th JCC meeting, chaired by Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Vice Chairman of China's National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC), Lin Nianxiu, took place on October 27. During this meeting, both sides agreed to expedite CPEC projects, leading to the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's visit to China. Representatives from various ministries and officials, including the Executive Director of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Chief Economist from the Planning Commission, attended the meeting.

At the meeting, conveners of the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on various aspects of CPEC, such as Energy, Transport Infrastructure, Gwadar, Socio-Economic Development, Security, Long-Term Planning, Industrial Cooperation, International Cooperation, Science & Technology, and Agriculture Cooperation, provided updates on progress since the 11th JCC. Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged officials to expedite the implementation of ML-1 and KCR projects, which were agreed upon during the 11th JCC, and to resolve any related issues promptly. Additionally, he instructed the Embassy of Pakistan in China to organize a meeting with the Chinese counterparts to follow up on decisions made during the 11th JCC and the Prime Minister's visit.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal also called for an online meeting with the Vice Chairman of NDRC to assess the progress of CPEC projects. He emphasized that CPEC is a crucial national project that has solidified the economic partnership between Pakistan and China. The upcoming phase of CPEC aims to promote industrial cooperation, and the concerned ministries were directed to expedite work on Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract Chinese industries seeking cost-effective relocation to Pakistan.