Lahore: The majority of the socioeconomic development carried out in Punjab under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be done in South Punjab, a news source quoted a senior official.
China has shown interest in financially supporting 16 projects related to education and vocational training, healthcare, poverty alleviation, agriculture and drinkable water supply sectors in Punjab. This is a part of Beijing’s commitment to include socioeconomic development schemes valuing USD 1 billion in the CPEC portfolio across Pakistan.
China is yet to finalise the list of projects it plans to support in Punjab and elsewhere in the country. However, these 16 projects include upgradation of the Mir Chakar Khan Rind University in DG Khan, a burn unit in Bahawalpur, an integrated development programme for the poor and vulnerable on the CPEC route, and innovative housing for the poorest in Lahore and Faisalabad.
Besides, the project includes plans to run tubewells and filtration plants to be converted to solar energy, and support for high-value agriculture along the CPEC’s western route and Barani areas in the province.
