By Makhdoom
Shehryar Babar
ISLAMABAD: “Four Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being built under the umbrella of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be completed within the next one to two years,” said Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PD&SI) Professor Ahsan Iqbal.
Ahsan Iqbal was talking to the media along with Finance Minister Miftah Ismail while unveiling Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2021-22 in Islamabad.
The Minister for PD&SI said that as per agreement, nine SEZs under the umbrella of CPEC had to be completed between 2022 and 2025 “for industrial cooperation”. Out of nine SEZs only four have been initiated, if going with current speed, these zones could be completed between 2024 and 2027.
“However, over the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the construction work has been fast-tracked to complete the SEZs in one to two years”, Mr. Iqbal said, adding the government has provided funding for CPEC projects including SEZs for their earlier completion. According to the Minister Main Line-1 (ML-1), a major proposed project under CPEC will also be reviewed during FY-2022-23.
“We will try our best to launch Chashma Right Bank Lift Cum Gravity Canal (CRBC), Dera Ismail this year,” Mr. Iqbal said, adding that CRBC is a crucial project for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province regarding irrigation.
The government of KP has already shown interest to bring CRBC under CPEC.
While talking about energy projects, Ahsan Iqbal said the Government will fast-track the construction of Diamer Basha Dam and Mohmand Hydropower Project. “We are going to fast-track these projects via adequate funding,” he said.
