CPEC projects on completion will silence critics: Ahsan Iqbal

Dated : 27 October 2016

ISLAMABAD : Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high level meeting to review the progress on various projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Officials of various ministries briefed the meeting about status of work on various projects under CPEC framework. Minister directed to accelerate the construction work on CPEC projects to ensure their completion in time. He said CPEC projects will silence all critics after completion with their benefits for people of Pakistan. Minister particularly inquired about status of work on various sections of Western route, whose construction is top and foremost priority of the government. He said that construction work on various sections of Western route and Indus highway should be completed as per the timelines to operationalize it at earliest. Minister said that federal government wants to complete the work on Western route on priority basis in accordance with its commitment made with national political leadership. Meeting reviewed the progress on projects in energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar under CPEC framework. Minister Planning and Development directed to keep momentum in the construction work on CPEC projects to ensure their completion in stipulated time frame. While reviewing the energy projects the ministry of water and power apprised the meeting that work on all projects is on track and these would be completed as per the schedule. Minister observed that fast track work on these projects is necessary to tackle the energy crisis and power needs of industrial zones in future under CPEC. He directed ministry of water and power to align commissioning targets of power projects with National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) to ensure timely completion of transmission lines for evacuation of power. The meeting was informed by Ministry of Interior that that TORs of Special Security Force will be finalised within a week.