ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, particularly the decisions made during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China.
“There is complete agreement between the leaderships of China and Pakistan on the second phase of CPEC, also known as CPEC 2.0,” stated Iqbal.
Highlighting his recent visit to China, Iqbal noted the continuation of discussions initiated by the Prime Minister with Chinese leaders, focusing on strategic implementation to ensure the success of CPEC 2.0. He emphasized the global interest in China’s economic development model and noted that Pakistan was the primary beneficiary of this model until progress slowed after 2018.
Despite past setbacks, Iqbal reiterated CPEC’s importance due to Pakistan’s strategic geographical position. He urged the Ministry of Railways to expedite documentation and preparatory steps for the ML-1 project.
“During my recent visit to China, we agreed to convene an early meeting of the Joint Financing Committee for the ML-1 project, which will take place within a month,” he announced.
Iqbal called for full preparation by the Ministry of Railways and other departments for this critical meeting and urged a collaborative effort to ensure the timely completion of CPEC projects. Additionally, he stressed the need for a comprehensive master plan for road construction to connect the region and serve as an engine of global economic growth.
