ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform (PD&R) SecretaryShoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has said that Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and upgradation of Pakistan’s Railway ML-I projects are the main focus intransport infrastructure sector to be implemented in the current phase ofChina Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He expressed these views while meeting with China Railway ConstructionCorporation Limited (CRCC) Vice President Yang Jinjun on Tuesday here atthe Ministry of Planning along with CPEC Project Director Hassan Daud.

Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui said that ML-I is strategically important while KCRis economically a viable project. “The projects have achieved headway andwill hit the ground soon,” he informed. PD&R secretary further said thatthere is a need for efficient and professional firms to build these megaprojects on fast speed.

He further highlighted that the policies of President Xi Jinping are takingChina to new development stage through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).“CPEC is the main pillar of BRI that helped Pakistan to achieve economicgrowth of 5.8 per cent last year”.