Govt taking steps to expedite work on CPEC: Khusro Bakhtiar

ISLAMABAD, Sep 13 (APP):Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar on Thursday while rejecting rumors and negative propaganda regarding  China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) said that the government was taking steps for speedy work on the project.

Talking to a private TV channel, he said that socio-economic development chapter would be included in CPEC for the up-gradation of public livelihoods.

He said that nine-member committee on CPEC was effectively functioning and all stakeholders would be the part of it including the relevant ministries.

The Minister said that previous government had hidden the realities related CPEC from media and public created ambiguity thus the incumbent government is facing the problems in this regard.

During the last four years, no speedy work on economic growth and development have been made by the previous regimes adding that PTI government is focusing on the transmission and distribution of energy in the project as energy sector is the main area in the project.

It the responsibility of the government to promote the local energy projects as compare to relay on the other side and all indigenous project would be completed on priority basis, local fuel business would be enhanced.

Previous government have not paid due attention on the development of industrial sector surrounding the Gwadar port.

Gwadar has a great potential for huge industry and unfortunately so far no electricity nor clean drinking water projects completed  in Gwadar port.

He said that government would fully implemented the real master plan of Gwadar port for the development of coastal industries, and soon the public would seems the innovation in the development of it.
The Minister said that during the last four years no progress on commercial activity at Gwadar port area but government focusing on it on priority basis. China is rising as the second largest economic power in the globe.

Former government had signed an agreement of US$ 6 billion for the constriction of Motorways, Orange Train.

Pakistan and China would start joint venture on the development of hi-tech and information technology as Pakistan wanted the regional development and create the job opportunities for youth as per the policy of government about the employment.

Government also providing the opportunity to the private business community in CPEC project. Bakhtiar informed that Prime Minister Imran Khan would visit to China in November 2018 and discuss CPEC in details with their counterpart.

(APP)