ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday proposed inclusion of Chitral to Chakdara Highway (N-45) connecting Swat Motorway as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) western route.

The 8th meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure was held via video link at the Ministry of Communications, here on Monday.

Besides Federal Secretary Communications Zafar Hasan, Vice Minister of China on Transport DAI Dongchang, Deputy Director General for International Cooperation China Shan Hongjun and Chairman National Highway Authority Capt Sikander Qayyum (retd) also participated. The representatives of Foreign Office, CPEC Authority, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Sindh Government, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan Government, and the Civil Aviation Authority were also present.

After deliberations, the meeting adopted construction of a motorway from Peshawar to DI Khan (320km), Swat Expressway from Chakdara to Fatehpur Phase-II (182km) and Dir Expressway (30km).

Pakistan side gave briefing on ML-1 project, Karachi Circular Railway, Peshawar Circular Railway, and Quetta Mass Transit Project.

Chitral-Shandoor-Gilgit, Nokundi-Mashkhel-Panjgur and Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Mansehra projects were also brought under discussion.

Secretary Communications Zafar Hasan said the CPEC was the vision of both the neighbouring countries' leadership.

He proposed inclusion of Chitral to Chakdara Highway (N-45) connecting Swat Motorway (Chakdara to Col Sher Khan Interchange on Motorway M-1) as part of the CPEC Western Route.

He said government of Pakistan was planning for the remaining sections of Gwadar-Ratodero Motorway M-8.

He desired study of those parts of Karakoram Highway which were affected by the landslides, so that remedial measures could be devised to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Terming the meeting meaningful, he hoped that the meeting would remain successful and achieve its objectives.

A senior official, who attended the meeting told Business Recorder that Chitral to Chakdara Highway (N-45) was already being constructed with Korean cooperation; however, the government wants to add this portion to the CPEC.

After inclusion to the CPEC, it would be up-graded, sources added.

This correspondent repeatedly tried to contact Secretary Zafar Hassan; however, till the filling of this report no response was received.

Addressing the meeting, Chinese Vice Minister on Transport DAI Dongchang said friendship of China and Pakistan was higher than the mountains and it was being strengthened and deepened with the passage of time.

He said cooperation in the construction sector was gradually expanding between the two countries, which would accelerate pace of development in Pakistan.

He desired to realise CPEC schemes with quality construction through mutual cooperation.

Besides challenges both the countries are cooperating with each other.

He termed video link meeting result oriented.

He appreciated the progress and commitment of Pakistan on CPEC projects.

He said China wanted to enhance the scope of the CPEC by including a few more projects.

Chairman National Highway Authority Capt Sikander Qayyum (retd) told the meeting that Sukkur-Multan Motorway and Havelian-Thakot Motorway projects were completed in record time frame with quality construction.

He said 136 km long Thakot-Raikot section of Karakoram Highway was an important link and that TOR had been approved for hiring consultant for re-alignment.

He stressed upon the need of upgrading 210 km DIKhan-Zhob Section on priority.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020