China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) | Updates & Discussions

[Rasengan]

نئی مجوزہ پانچ سالہ آٹو پالیسی ،موٹرز ڈیلرز کیلئے مزید مراعات کی تجویز زیر غور

Muhammed Omar as always your dedication in providing pictures and news on the economic corridor is much appreciated. The Major General who will command the division force who protect Chinese workers has the candidate been chosen?

 

[Muhammad Omar]

ISLAMABAD: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will benefit many countries in the region, including India, said Jin Liqun, President-designate of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar during his visit to Islamabad as head of the Beijing-based bank, Liqun said the CPEC would not only contribute to development of China and Pakistan, but other nations in the region can also benefit from it. He expressed the hope that New Delhi would support the idea.

Dar said that Pakistan would share the directorship of the AIIB with Turkey for three years, out of 10 years.

The bank plans to start operations by the middle of next year, and it may send its mission to Islamabad to consider project-financing.

Liqun said that a team of experts from the AIIB would visit Islamabad soon to meet Pakistani officials and ascertain ideas for possible projects and areas where the AIIB could provide funding.

He said that the strength of macroeconomic fundamentals and preparedness of the projects would determine its financing flows to any country.

The finance minister said that he had a detailed discussion with the deputy prime minister of Turkey a couple of weeks ago and both sides had reached a written understanding under which Turkey would hold the post of executive director for seven years and Pakistan for three years.

Pakistan and Turkey had decided in the initial days of AIIB consultations to be part of one constituency that also includes Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan while Iran and Brunei have now shown interest to be part of this constituency.

Liqun appreciated the economic gains made by Pakistan in the last two years and said that global institutions had acknowledged the progress made by Pakistan in the last two years, including tripling of foreign exchange reserves.

He particularly lauded Pakistan’s launch of Eurobond last month, and said that it was not an easy task to convince the international rating agencies to improve a country’s rating, and the credit goes to Pakistan’s economic managers that they have been able to upgrade their rating in a relatively short time.

He said the AIIB was currently working out its financing programme and would come up with its first batch of projects in the second quarter of 2016.

He expressed the hope that Pakistan would prominently figure in the programme.

Dar said that Pakistan was currently focusing on improving infrastructure in the country and would look forward to an early start of financing activities by the AIIB.

Mr Liqun said his institution was looking to finance infrastructure development projects, including energy, transport, urban development, water supply, solid waste disposal sectors.

He added that the AIIB would like to make use of expertise of Pakistani professionals.

He said the new bank would create counter-balance among client countries in terms of potential borrowing and finance most feasible projects on priority.

Dar said the AIIB, in collaboration with International Finance Corporation and Asian Development Bank, could be part of a consortium for development of Diamer-Bhasha dam.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Highways and Roads of CPEC route

NHA has floated tender for feasibility study of Kel-Shounter-Rattu Road including Tunnel under Shounter Pass. If this project ever gets completed, would be a massive massive boost for AJK (Neelum Valley, in particular) and GB. It would be 1st and only all weather road link between Kashmir and GB.

Screenshots of important detail about project mentioned in the tender are given as under

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Karakoram Highway....

 

[Muhammad Omar]

E-35

 

[Muhammad Omar]

ISLAMABAD – With the completion of Hazara Motorway, the people of Hazara Division will be able to play an active role in trade, tourism, industry and agricultural sector that will ultimately boost national economy.

An official of National Highway Authority (NHA) told APP on Friday that the Hazara Motorway will prove a construction masterpiece that will usher in a new era of progress and prosperity and lives of Pakistani people will considerably improve. He said that, this motorway will have six inter-changes, 20 bridges, 15 underpasses and 50 culverts.

He said that Hazara Motorway comprises of three packages and it is being completed with the financial assistance of Asian Development Bank. Pakistan is strategically located in the region and it is destined to become a trade hub in the near future and completion of projects under Pak-China Economic Corridor and Karachi-Lahore Motorway this goal can be achieved, he said.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Can i post Tender here to related to CPEC??

@waz @Jango

25 Industrial Zones to be set-up

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was briefed by Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique regarding railway projects included in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at PM House Islamabad today.

Minister Railways briefed that Sukkur railway station will be included in the list of projects proposed to be built under CPEC arrangements. Minister Railways also apprised the PM that local architectural heritage would be reflected in the up gradation of the buildings of Narowal and other railway stations and the main building of Narowal Station would be completed within 18 months.
Regarding the railway lands, PM was briefed that the commercial potential of the Railways land surrounding the stations will be fully utilized by building commercial plazas, shopping malls, marquees, hotels, cinemas, food streets etc. to generate income for Railways and to contribute to the development of the local areas.
It was proposed in the briefing that that the Government of the Punjab may construct allied facilities falling in the provincial domain such as feeding roads, sewerage systems etc from its own resources.

Prime Minister directed Ministry of Railways to submit a construction and financial plan for the execution of the Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Railway link as single project, rather than two, within the shortest possible timeframe.

The briefing was also attended by Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Planning & Development, Mr. Javaid Aslam Secretary PM Office, Mr. Khizar Hayat Gondal Chief Secretary Punjab, Mrs. Parveen Agha Federal Secretary Railways, Mr. Yousaf Naseem Khokhar Federal Secretary Planning & Development, Mr. Amjad Ali Khan MD NESPAK and other senior officers from PM Office, Ministries of Railways and Planning & Development.

a bit off topic...

Havelian Dry Port Muzaffarabad Railway project and Up gradation of Railway track from Peshawar till Karachi Approved by PM Nawaz Shareef

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the progress on the development of all infrastructure projects in Pakistan at PM House today.
Chairman NHA Mr. Shahid Ashraf Tarar gave a detailed briefing to the Prime Minister about the CPEC rout and the Western Corridor. The Prime Minister directed for early completion of Western Corridor and to start land acquisition for which the funds have already been allocated in PSDP budget.
The Prime Minister also directed staff of PM office to coordinate with KPK and Balochistan governments for fast tracking land acquisition process.
The Prime Minister said that Western Corridor was his commitment in APC to the Nation and it shall be honored.
The Prime Minister said that government has made unprecedented investment in infrastructure projects in Baluchistan as such, it is for the first time that 100 percent PSDP funds have been released by the federal government to Baluchistan.
The Prime Minister emphasized upon speedy development of the projects along with strict adherence to all the applicable procurement guidelines.
The Prime Minister said that the speedy implementation of the projects shall not compromise by the transparency standards. He added that the projects must be completed within stipulated time.
The Prime Minister was briefed that the feasibility designs and timeliness of the different packages of the projects like Burhan-DI Khan, DI Khan to Zhob, Zhob to Quetta etc.
The Prime Minister was briefed that financial closer of Lahore to Abdul Hakim Motorway and Zhob to Mushakot Motorway have been done and these projects are ready for the groundbreaking. The Prime Minister decided to do the ground breaking of these projects in November 2015.
The Prime Minister was briefed that work on Khanewal to Multan section of Motorway is complete and the project is ready for inauguration in November.The Prime Minister showed satisfaction on the progress of the development works and directed NHA to fulfill it's obligation towards to people of Pakistan with utmost commitment and by ensuring transparency and saving tax payer's money.
The meeting was also attended by other government officers.

Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to Further Boost Bilateral Ties

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Bakhitbek Shabarbayev on Tuesday called on Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

They discussed issues of mutual interest and hoped that bilateral relation between the two Muslims brethren countries would be improved by each passing day, said a press release.

The Minister said that both the countries have commonality in their culture, language and tradition which are playing cementing force for strengthening of bilateral relations.

Both the side agreed that the relations would be further strengthened thorough people to people contact, trade and business like activities.

The ambassador apprised that work was in progress on the construction of road which would link Kazakhstan to Pakistan via Urumqi, a Chinese city under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Minister said that the CPEC was a game changer and it would bring peace and prosperity for the whole region.

He also felicitated the ambassador for his designation as the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Pakistan.

 

[saiyan0321]

@Muhammad Omar has been doing great work in this thread and has been providing us with up to date information on the progress of cpec. Considering the large scale of the project the work seems to done in haste. The corridor is massive and has over a hundred projects attached to it.

Never the less thanks for providing such extensive information. Truly appreciated and hope it continues onward in the future.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Feasibility report of electric train from Peshawar to Karachi is ready

Feasibility report of electric train from Peshawar to Karachi has been prepared. Electric run will run at the speed of 120 to 160 Km/hr .The project of special train is to be started with help of China.
Sources from Pakistan Railways told that Lahore Railway Line will be doubled and all tracks will be updated with new bridges and Signal Lines .

In Peshawar division many houses and shops will be brought down for making double track .The work of dry port at Havelian is also undergoing.Due to Electric track from Peshawar to Karachi passengers will get facilitated and also Cargo system will get upgraded .

Karakorum Highway

Zhuhai Port scores big with deal in Pakistan

State-owned firm's shares surge after $1.02b Gwadar order


Port infrastructure company Zhuhai Port Holdings Group Co Ltd has pulled off a coup of sorts by bagging a 6.5 billion yuan ($1.02 billion) construction order from China Overseas Port Holding Co, a State-owned company which operates the Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Zhuai Port shares jumped 10.07 percent on Thursday, the highest intraday gain in a month, after the development.

Gwadar, the first foreign port in China's Belt and Road Initiative, aims to link China with Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia for common development. The Chinese company inked the deal ahead of the 2015 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, which kicked off on Thursday. According to Wu Yuping, business manager of China Overseas Port Holdings, the project will not only boost economic development in Balochistan province where the Gwadar port is located, but also connect Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and other western provinces in China with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Iraq.

"Gwadar will be the marine transit point for regional transshipment, storage and transportation, "Wu said.

The port is at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and close to several important sea routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes most of the global oil shipments. It is the third-largest port in Pakistan and one of the major deep-water ports in South Asia and the Middle East with strategic location.

The joint construction of Gwadar port, at the confluence of China's new trade initiatives－the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road－has been a milestone in bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier this year, the Gwadar port and Zhuhai port inked a memorandum of understanding, declaring the two cities twin ports.

As per the agreement, the two sides will team up for cooperation in harbor construction, personnel training, route exploration, goods supply, logistics warehouse construction and an information platform.

The agreement will also promote the construction of Guiyang-Guangzhou-South Asia international logistics channel and deepen governmental and industrial cooperation between Hong Kong-Macao-Pearl River Delta area and Pakistan's Gwadar region, to better connect China's southwestern region to the world while promoting economic prosperity of the two countries.

China Overseas Port Holdings has also signed a 1 billion yuan deal with Huafa Group, a State-owned enterprise headquartered in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, to construct a 250,000-square-meter Chinese commodity trading center in Pakistan.

The center can be used for exhibitions, bonded warehouses, international purchases, transfer and delivery services, processing and customs clearance, to promote commercial exchanges between China and South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Feasibility report of electric train from Peshawar to Karachi is ready

Feasibility report of electric train from Peshawar to Karachi has been prepared. Electric run will run at the speed of 120 to 160 Km/hr .The project of special train is to be started with help of China.
Sources from Pakistan Railways told that Lahore Railway Line will be doubled and all tracks will be updated with new bridges and Signal Lines .

In Peshawar division many houses and shops will be brought down for making double track .The work of dry port at Havelian is also undergoing.Due to Electric track from Peshawar to Karachi passengers will get facilitated and also Cargo system will get upgraded .

Karakorum Highway

Zhuhai Port scores big with deal in Pakistan

State-owned firm's shares surge after $1.02b Gwadar order


Port infrastructure company Zhuhai Port Holdings Group Co Ltd has pulled off a coup of sorts by bagging a 6.5 billion yuan ($1.02 billion) construction order from China Overseas Port Holding Co, a State-owned company which operates the Gwadar port in Pakistan.

Zhuai Port shares jumped 10.07 percent on Thursday, the highest intraday gain in a month, after the development.

Gwadar, the first foreign port in China's Belt and Road Initiative, aims to link China with Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia for common development. The Chinese company inked the deal ahead of the 2015 Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International Expo, which kicked off on Thursday. According to Wu Yuping, business manager of China Overseas Port Holdings, the project will not only boost economic development in Balochistan province where the Gwadar port is located, but also connect Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and other western provinces in China with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Iraq.

"Gwadar will be the marine transit point for regional transshipment, storage and transportation, "Wu said.

The port is at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and close to several important sea routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes most of the global oil shipments. It is the third-largest port in Pakistan and one of the major deep-water ports in South Asia and the Middle East with strategic location.

The joint construction of Gwadar port, at the confluence of China's new trade initiatives－the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road－has been a milestone in bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier this year, the Gwadar port and Zhuhai port inked a memorandum of understanding, declaring the two cities twin ports.

As per the agreement, the two sides will team up for cooperation in harbor construction, personnel training, route exploration, goods supply, logistics warehouse construction and an information platform.

The agreement will also promote the construction of Guiyang-Guangzhou-South Asia international logistics channel and deepen governmental and industrial cooperation between Hong Kong-Macao-Pearl River Delta area and Pakistan's Gwadar region, to better connect China's southwestern region to the world while promoting economic prosperity of the two countries.

China Overseas Port Holdings has also signed a 1 billion yuan deal with Huafa Group, a State-owned enterprise headquartered in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, to construct a 250,000-square-meter Chinese commodity trading center in Pakistan.

The center can be used for exhibitions, bonded warehouses, international purchases, transfer and delivery services, processing and customs clearance, to promote commercial exchanges between China and South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

nice move ... electric train andheavy frreight trains are future of pr

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Gwadar to have country’s biggest airport

Agencies
inShare
Gwadar/QUETTA - Pakistan handed hundreds of acres of land over to China Wednesday for development of a special economic zone in the port of Gwadar, part of a $46 billion project giving Beijing greater access to the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The provincial government in Balochistan, country’s poorest, handed over about 2,300 acres swathe of tax-exempt land that Beijing will develop under a 43-year lease.
The rest of the land will be handed over under the agreement with the public China Overseas Port Holding Company “soon”, senior Pakistani government officials told AFP.
The development is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, an ambitious $46 billion investment plan linking western China to the Arabian Sea, part of Beijing’s ambition to expand its trade and transport footprint across Central and South Asia while countering US and Indian influence.
Experts say access to the port of Gwadar will cut thousands of kilometres off the distance which oil and gas imports from Africa and the Middle East have to travel to reach China.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Shipping Kamran Michael attended the handover ceremony Wednesday with Chinese development commission vice chairman Wang Xiaotao.
As part of the wider plans, an international airport will also be built with a Chinese grant at Gwadar, with construction due to begin in January.
“China has asked us to provide land for building an export processing zone and a modern international airport in Gwadar,” Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch told AFP.
The airport which will take 30 months to complete will be Pakistan’s biggest airport. According to Balochistan chief minister’s spokesman Jan Muhammad Buledi, the airport will be built on more than 4,000 acres.
China is also building a road network to link the zone to the airport and a seaport, and the provincial government will provide the land according to their requirements, he said.
As part of the wider plans, work on the Gwadar International Airport would start in the next couple of months.
Gwadar port, located 540 kilometres southwest of Karachi, was built in 2007 with technical help from Beijing as well as Chinese financial assistance of some $248 million.
It gives China “new access” to the Arabian Sea, Pakistani analyst Hasan Askari told AFP, adding that it shows to the rest of the world that “China is willing to help friends and spread its influence through positive economic and trade activities”.
India has previously expressed concerns about the scheme.
However, Mohan Guruswamy, head of the New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Policy Alternatives, defended the project Wednesday. “This is an economic project and India has no concern over Chinese cooperation,” he told AFP.
“Concerns arise if there are defence-related matters,” he said.
Acquiring the land from private owners to build the economic zone took several years and cost the Balochistan government around $62 million, officials have said.
Pakistan is also raising a special security force of between 10,000 and 25,000 men to protect the port.
Desperately poor Balochistan has been roiled since 2004 by a separatist insurgency aimed at seeking greater control over the province’s rich oil, gas and mineral resources.
Some Baloch nationalists have accused the Chinese of conspiring with the Pakistani elite to plunder the province’s resources while doing little to share profits and create jobs for local people.
Speaking at the handing over of land ceremony in Gwadar, Ahsan Iqbal said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a fate changer for billions of people in the region through regional integration and connectivity.
The minister said the Gwadar Port was being developed under vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to develop it as a leading smart port city of the region.
He said handing over of first 600 acres of land for Gwadar free zone is a major milestone towards implementation of CPEC.
Vice Chairman, National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC) Mr Wang Xiaotao, China also attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of taking over of land Gwadar port free zone and framework agreement on strategic cooperation between COPHC and Lin Yi Trade City Holdings Limited, Ahsan Iqbal stated, “Gwadar is heart of CPEC but today with the handing over of Gwadar port cree zone, this heart starts beating.”
Ahsan said CPEC is not just about infrastructure projects rather it is a framework for holistic development and has equal emphasis on social sectors for well being of the people not only in Gwadar but across the country particularly in under-developed areas of Balochistan.
Ashan said opening of new school, vocational institute and scholarships for students of Gwadar are steps in this direction.He said that free trade zones will bring investment and create enormous employment opportunities in the port city.
Smart port city will be center of trade and commerce providing connectivity to the Central Asia and the whole region, he added.
The minister said transformational impact from Gwadar to Zhob and Gwadar to Khuzdar, (Khuzdar to Rattodero) part of western route is transforming lives in the under-developed areas with creation of employment opportunities and improving quality of life.
Ahsan said Pakistan is emerging as a favourite destination of investment due to improving security and governance situation in the country and economic reforms implemented by the government in last two and half years.
CPEC is multi-sectoral project that includes energy, infrastructure, port, social, and industry projects, Ahsan said.
He said Gwadar will be connected to Khunjrab through multiple routes as port will serve different markets and destinations.
He said that all routes of CPEC are being constructed but the western route will be the first to be operational. He added the work on missing Gwadar-Quetta link of western route would be completed by December 2016.
Located at the crossroads of West, Central and South Asia, the Middle East and China, Pakistan can become an energy and trade corridor that connects the fast-emerging economics in the region, the minister stated. This will be achieved through CPEC by building transnational roads, railways, and oil and gas pipelines that crisscross Pakistan’s industrial heartland and egress from ports like Karachi and Gwadar, he said.

JCC agrees to add more projects under CPEC

Karachi: The joint coordination committee (JCC) tasked to review the progress on the projects being executed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in its 5th meeting here has expressed its satisfaction and agreed on some additions to CPEC projects.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday was addressing Meet-the-Press at Karachi Press Club, which was attended by a large number of print and electronic media representatives.
The CPEC's JCC meeting continuing for last three days-- from Nov. 10 to 12, had discussed in detail the ways and means for the earliest execution of the CPEC's chain of projects covering all the provinces with Gwadar and Gilgit-Baltistan as its gateways.
He said the motive behind holding of JCC meeting in Karachi was to tell the world community that this city has now come to normal business after restoration of peace and security by the law enforcing agencies. That, he added, now foreigners would feel themselves comfortable and secure in making business deals here.
He said as a part of CPEC, the Chinese companies were handed over 650 acres land in Gwadar for industrial purpose on Wednesday in the presence of the visiting Chinese members of JCC. Pakistan government has marked 2200 acres of land for the Chinese special industrial zone planned near Gwadar Port.
Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said the JCC during its review on CPEC projects agreed on setting up twenty five industrial zones in different areas of Pakistan-- 7 in Punjab, 8 in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, 4 in Sindh and the rest in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The JCC decided to form an industrial group with focus on developing automobile, light engineering and cement sectors in Pakistan. Chinese companies would either shift their industrial units to Pakistan or enter joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs, he said.
The committee also agreed to enhance the planned Thar coal-based power generation to 2600 MW. Of these, the two power plants of 660 MW under construction near Thar Coal field will start generation by the end of 2016.
Tharparkar, being a backward area, would be turned into a prosperous area and a centre of lights of the country, he said.
He said Diameer Bhasha dam project, with proposed water storage capacity of 8 million cubic feet, was also discussed at JCC meeting and the Chinese team promised to consider it for inclusion in the CPEC.
He explained that the Federal Government has purchased the land for this project from the owners and allocated dollars 105 billion for the payment, which would be completed soon.
In 2016, the ground-breaking of Bhasha Diameer dam would be done. This dam would prove a great support in addressing water and food security issues of the country. The Government is considering to construct more dams in future,he said.
The Minister said the vision behind CPEC is, to strengthen the regional connectivity. Through CPEC, Pakistan would be mainly connected with China, South Asia and Central Asia. Besides, CPEC would improve the connectivity within our own country.
He said the JCC also consented to dualize the Western route of CPEC : from Gwadar to Quetta which would be completed by the end of next year.
He said the main railway track from Karachi to Peshawar is week and a train could not move beyond 90 Kms per hour. For upgradation of this track in next five years , five billion dollars have been allocated. After this, he continued, a train would be running up to 160 Kms per hour. He informed the media that Multan-Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway would be completed up to December 2017. The work on Sukkur-Hyderabad section would start soon.
To a question, the Federal Minister for Planning and Development said the people of Balochistan would be greatly benefitted from CPEC.
The Federal Government has also planned many schools,other educational institutions and vocational training centres in Balochistan.
APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)

China Wishes to Shift Industries to Pakistan

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal and Vice Chairman NDRC China signing the agreement of Economic Corridor at the conclusion of 5th JCC meeting. PHOTO: NNI

KARACHI:
Pakistan and China are adding new infrastructure projects to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in a bid to connect underdeveloped areas with developed ones, said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal.

He said this at the 5th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) session of the CPEC on Thursday, where four memoranda of understanding were also signed.

Balochistan to sign economic zone deal with China: official

Iqbal spent a busy day in Karachi. He also visited the Karachi Press Club (KPC) later in the evening to brief media on the current developments on CPEC. Perhaps, the most interesting remark he made there was that the Chinese government has shown its desire to shift some Chinese industries to Pakistan.

“Due to the rising cost of production there, the Chinese government and its private sector want to shift some industries to Pakistan,” he said. “Chinese want to start joint ventures in Pakistan in sectors like engineering, light engineering, automobiles, textiles and cement.”

To realise new Chinese investment, Pakistan and China have constituted a working group to do joint feasibility studies. Pakistan will also setup 25 industrial zones in all the four provinces of the country, he added.

Manufacturers gear up for Chinese interest

The federal government is trying to improve social sector development along with energy, infrastructure and transport to link developed areas with less fortunate ones, he said.

Speaking about major infrastructure projects under CPEC, he said the Fifth JCC session has decided a complete overhauling of the main railway track from Peshawar to Karachi at an investment of $5 billion. It has been decided to first complete the Karachi-Hyderabad and Lahore-Multan railway routes in two-and-a-half years while the whole track will be renovated in five years. This will increase the speed of the trains from current 60-80 km to 140-160 km, he informed.

Minister emphasised that long term plan for the corridor should be developed in a comprehensive manner including utilisation of spatial planning, identifying the needs of improvement in various forms and means of communication, focusing on industrial and agricultural cooperation, which should be in the interest of both countries.

Top Chinese general lauds Pakistan’s anti-terror role

“In the backdrop of our facilitation agreement, we had to jointly manage the completion of the project as per energy planning timelines. Necessary implementation steps and technical formalities have almost been completed.

It is essential that commercial contracts for the two big transport infrastructure early harvest projects, KKH Phase-II Thakot-Havelian section and KLM Multan-Sukhur section, are concluded at the earliest.

On Gwadar, the minister said it is the gateway of CPEC and we need to work together for implementation of identified initiatives.

The minister said that handling over of land for development of free zone has just taken place, which is a milestone in CPEC.

Officials of Chinese companies visit PSM

Request: Sindh CM weighs in

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has asked the centre and the Chinese government to include the Hyderabad-Sukkur section of the motorway and Keti Bunder port in the CPEC.

Shah said the Hyderabad-Sukkur section was in a dilapidated condition, adding that Keti Bunder port could also play a major role in regional connectivity. “We request the federal government and Chinese authorities to look into the matter,” said the chief minister.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

5th JCC of ‪#‎CPEC‬ project was successfully concluded in Karachi on 12 Nov, 2015 after review of progress on implementation and approval of outcomes of Joint Working Groups for Energy, Infrastructure and Gawadar. Chinese side was led by Mr Wang Xiaotao, Vice Chairman, NDRC. Karachi was selected as venue to demonstrate that it is back in business through improved security situation.

CPEC will also contribute towards social development of Gawadar. Performed groundbreaking ceremony for a school to be established by a Chinese NGO to provide local children international standard education.

Vice Chairman of NDRC Mr. Wang Xiatao inaugurates COPHC Education Fund for Gawadar Students today at Gawader.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning & Development had Visited Gawadar Port along with CPEC JCC delegation led by Vice Chairman NDRC, Chief Minister Balochistan, and Federal Minister Ports & Shipping and paid respect at Memorial of Chinese workers.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

‪Pakistan hands over first 600 acres of land for Gawadar Free Zone to China. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal termed it a historic occasion and a major milestone towards implementation of ‪#‎CPEC‬.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform said, "CPEC is a strategic project between iron brothers China and Pakistan to cast them into community of shared destiny. This will be a fate changer for billions of people in the region through regional integration and connectivity. ‪#‎Gawadar‬ Port is being developed under vision of PM Sharif to develop it as a leading smart port city of the region. Handing over of first 600 acres of land for #Gawadar Free Zone is a major milestone towards implementation of #CPEC. He was speaking at the handing over of land ceremony in #Gawadar. Mr Wang Xiaotao, Vice Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC) China also attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of taking over of land Gawadar port free zone; and Framework agreement on strategic cooperation between COPHC & Lin Yi Trade City Holdings Limited Ahsan Iqbal stated,"#Gawadar is heart of #CPEC but today with the handing over of #Gawadar Port Free Zone, this heart starts beating.

Prof Ahsan Iqbal said that #CPEC is not just about infrastructure projects rather it is a framework for holistic development and has equal emphasis on social sectors for well being of the people not only in #Gawadar but across the country particularly in under developed areas of ‪#‎Balochistan‬. Opening of new school, vocational institute and scholarships for students of #Gawadar are steps in this direction.

He said that free trade zones will bring investment and create enormous employment opportunities in the port city. Smart port city will be center of trade and commerce providing connectivity to the Central Asia and the whole region. Transformational impact from "Gawadar to Zhob" and Gawadar to khuzdar, (Khuzdar to Ratto Dero) part of western route is transforming lives in the under developed areas with creation of employment opportunities and improving quality of life.

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that #Pakistan is emerging as a favourite destination of investment funds due to improving security and governance situation in the country and economic reforms implemented by the government in last two and half years.

#CPEC is multi sectoral project that includes energy, infrastructure, port, social, and industry projects. #Gawadar will be connected to Khunjrab through multiple routes as port will serve different markets and destinations.

He said that all routes of ‪#‎China‬-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are being constructed but the western route will be the first to be operational. The work on missing Gawadar-Quetta link of western route would be completed by December 2016.

Located at the crossroads of West, Central and South Asia, the Middle East and China, Pakistan can become an energy and trade corridor that connects the fast-emerging economics in the region. This will be achieved through #CPEC by building transnational roads, railways, and oil and gas pipelines that crisscross Pakistan’s industrial heartland and egress from ports like Karachi and Gwadar. He said.

 

[Alpha BeeTee]

Great job Muhammad Omar.
keep the information flowing.Whenever I need updates on CPEC,I jump to your threads in a first.
Thanks alot.