By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiyar on Sunday vowed to take China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to new heights in the days to come.
Speaking at a press conference, he dispelled the impression that CPEC projects have hit a snag saying all projects under the corridor are intact and streamlined.
In the energy sector, Bakhtiyar said projects of about 4,300 megawatts are under construction while those of 2,500 megawatts are being planned.
He said that the concessional agreement of 2016 was taken, due to which 19 Chinese companies are ready to invest in Gwadar. He added a project of 300 megawatts of electricity has been completed in Gwadar which is being linked to the national grid to provide the uninterrupted power supply.
He said the prime minister inaugurated Gwadar airport in March this year, adding that the Gwadar Master Plan has been finalised with the Balochistan government.
Bakhtiyar said efforts are being made for affordable electricity to strengthen the economy.
He said the government will negotiate with China on affordable electricity, including the proposal of constructing Bunji Dam with a capacity of 7,000 megawatts of electricity.
Karachi Bureau adds, Acting Consul General of Chinese Consulate General in Karachi, Chen Xiaodong, has said that the Belt and Road project will increase opportunities of employments. While addressing an event, Chen Xiaodong said that China is the world’s second largest economic power. The envoy added that Pakistan-China friendship continued for the last 70 years which is the best example not only for the region but also for the world.
Xiaodong said that both countries will counter all challenges with mutual coordination.
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan scheduled to depart for a visit to China on Monday night while all preparations have been completed his forthcoming visit to Beijing.
The premier will be accompanied by an advisor and three federal ministers including Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shaikh Rasheed Ahmed and Khusro Bakhtiar.
During his visit, PM Khan will hold discussions with the top leadership of China over Kashmir dispute, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), ML-1 project and other matters of bilateral interests.
Sources said that the affairs of Pakistan-China’s Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) will also come into discussion during PM Khan’s upcoming visit.
