Cabinet Committee on CPEC reviews progress on projects

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired meeting of the Cabinet Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at PM’s Office Thursday.

The meeting reviewed progress on various CPEC projects in view of the upcoming 7th meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC).

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Interior; and the Planning Commission of Pakistan presented an overall structure of CPEC, its institutional framework, project portfolios, current progress and future plans.

The Cabinet Committee reviewed progress on Road Infrastructure Projects and their projected completion dates.

The Railways Division made a presentation on feasibility of ML1 project including its detailed design and financing plan.

Aviation Division presented detailed design and financing plan of Gawadar International Airport.

The Cabinet Committee was briefed on Energy Sector Projects including Gawadar Power Project, Karot and Kohala Hydel Power Projects, Mattiari-Lahore and Mattiari-Faisalabad HVDC Lines and coal projects in Thar.

The Cabinet Committee was informed that significant work has been completed on Energy Projects, which constituted a major portion of the CPEC. The Committee was also apprised regarding the measures undertaken for security of CPEC projects.

The Prime Minister stated that CPEC offers a huge opportunity for Pakistan. Provincial governments were involved in all stages of the CPEC planning with special focus on the development of Balochistan, stated the Prime Minister.

The meeting was attended by Hafiz Abdul Kareem Minister for Communications, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Interior, Khawaja Saad Rafiq Minister for Railways, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo Minister for Maritime Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan, Mr. Miftah Ismaeel Special Assistant to PM, senior officials of Cabinet Division, Planning Division, Finance Division, Railways Division, Power Division, Petroleum Division, FBR, NHA, Economic Affairs Division, Maritime Affairs Division and Board of Investment.