Prime Minister Imran Khan directed all the relevant ministries on Tuesday to set targets and timelines for timely completion of the second phase projects of social and economic development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

While chairing a high-level meeting on the progress of CPEC projects, the Prime Minister directed for making more effective inter-ministerial coordination for the second phase of CPEC projects and wanted the finalization of social sector and economic development projects on priority basis. The Prime Minister also directed that the next meeting should be given a detailed briefing on hurdles in setting up targets for timely completion of second phase CPEC projects and measures taken by the concerned ministries to remove the hurdles.

The Prime Minister stated that China has always stood by Pakistan in difficult times by providing help and the CPEC projects reflect durable relations between Pakistan and China. He said that there is need to take benefit from Chinese experience in agriculture and poverty alleviation.

The meeting was given a briefing on progress of medium-term and long-term projects and was informed about the first phase project of energy, road network, rail networks, Gwadar Port as well as about the second phase projects of industrial cooperation, agriculture promotion, social sector and tourism. The first phase CPEC projects of energy and road infrastructure have been completed while work on Gwadar Port and airport is in progress.

The meeting was told that Orange Line project has been completed and consultations process on feasibility of Quetta Railway is in progress.

About the progress on industrial development, the meeting was told that groundbreaking of Allama Iqbal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has recently been done by the Prime Minister and groundbreaking of Rashakai Special Economic Zone would be done next month. The meeting was further informed that bidding of Dabheji Economic Zone would start soon.

The meeting reviewed various proposals regarding CPEC social sector projects. The Prime Minister directed that CPEC consultation process and early completion of ongoing projects must be done on priority basis.