The sixth Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) held in Beijing concluded today (Friday). Several new development schemes were signed between the Pakistani delegation and their Chinese counterparts.
State Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal led the delegation, representing all four provinces of Pakistan including Gilgit-Baltistan.
During the session, the examination of existing development projects expected to be completed by December 2017 was carried out. Moreover, nine new projects were approved. It was decided that each province would get an industrial zone.
According to the agreements, in 2017, a 1320 megawatts (MW) power plant would be completed in Sahiwal. Three important highways would be completed on CPEC’s western route, for which China would provide a loan. The highways will connect Raikot to Thakot, Dera Ismail Khan to Zhob, and Basema to Khuzdar.
Construction of a railway track from Gwadar to Jacobabad for CPEC also came under discussion. Furthermore, a Karachi-Peshawar fast track railway was also approved.
Two 180 MW power projects and an economic zone for Gilgit-Balistan were approved. Several projects for energy and infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were agreed upon while 330 MW power plants for Hub and Thal were approved.
