Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan has recently announced the establishment of an authority for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under the auspices of the National Development Council (NDC) to fast-track the execution of the various undergoing economic development projects, as per the news sources.
The NDC is a high-powered body, formed on July 18, 2019, with civilian, provincial and military authorities to devise development projects and formulate progressive economic policies for the country. The notice, however, was issued on July 13.
The formation of this council was approved in a federal cabinet meeting, presided over by the Prime Minister Imran Khan, who will also head the NDC. Other members include Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiyar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, all provincial chief ministers, AJK Prime Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister, additional ministers/heads of strategic bodies, Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Secretaries of the Foreign Affairs, Finance and Planning divisions. The additional secretary of the Prime Minister Office would serve as secretary to the NDC. As per the source, the military establishment has taken a formal role to oversee the administration and execution of CPEC projects to ensure security along the national borders.
The news source also revealed the government’s intention to create a Ministry of Development and Special Initiatives, to oversee the mega-development projects and assist the establishment in the administration and execution of CPEC projects, according to the news sources.
In addition, the said development will lead the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform to revert to an advisory role instead of the execution role it currently holds.
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