ISLAMABAD, July 18 (Alliance News): Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting on Thursday to assess the implementation status of decisions related to CPEC projects, especially those finalized during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China.
During the meeting, Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the complete agreement between Chinese and Pakistani leadership on CPEC’s second phase, referred to as CPEC 2.0. He emphasized that his recent visit to China was a continuation of discussions initiated by the Prime Minister, aimed at strategically implementing these decisions for the success of CPEC 2.0.
Speaking on global interest in China’s economic model, Minister Ahsan noted Pakistan’s significant benefits as the largest recipient of China’s economic initiatives through CPEC as of 2018. He acknowledged a slowdown in progress post-2018, resulting in Pakistan lagging behind other regional projects.
Despite challenges, Minister Ahsan underscored CPEC’s ongoing strategic importance due to Pakistan’s geographic position. He urged the Ministry of Railways to accelerate preparations for the ML1 project, announcing plans for an early Joint Financing Committee meeting within a month.
Highlighting growth opportunities, Minister Ahsan stressed the necessity for serious commitment to completing Phase 2.0 projects. He called for collaborative efforts among ministries and institutions to ensure timely project completion, especially emphasizing the role of CPEC in regional connectivity and global economic growth.
Minister Ahsan urged the Railway and National Highway Authority (NHA) to develop a comprehensive master plan for regional road construction, outlining CPEC’s potential to serve as a vital economic engine connecting the entire region.
