Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Tuesday chaired a review meeting during which he sought a briefing on the completion timeframe and intended operational mechanisms of all the projects planned under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a news source reported. As per the publication, the PM further directed the officials concerned to expedite the pace of the developmental work in progress.
Planning Minister Asad Umar, Revenue Minister Hammad Azhar, Finance Adviser Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, CPEC Authority Chairman Lt Gen (rtd) Asim Saleem Bajwa, Maritime Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi and other senior officials were also present during the session.
The meeting was informed about the first phase of CPEC projects, that included development work conducted on road and railway networks, the energy sector, and the Gwadar Port. The majority of the projects related to the construction of road networks and the advancement of the energy sector have been completed, whereas development work on the Gwadar airport and the port is being executed phase-wise. Similarly, the Orange Line project has been completed and the feasibility of the railway line in Quetta is currently under consideration.
In addition, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone is expected to be completed by next month, whereas the bidding process for the Dhabeji Economic Zone is under progress.
PM Khan concluded by stressing the need for greater efficiency in inter-ministerial
coordination and stated that was essential in order to achieve the completion
of projects in the appointed time frames.
