ISLAMABAD, Aug 21 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development
and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) would add 10,000 MW electricity in national grid
till 2018.
The CPEC is a national mega project and would further
strengthen the economy. A national consensus was evolved on the
corridor as it would bring economic revolution and provide equal
benefits to all the provinces, he said talking to PTV.
He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of CPEC was
signed in 2013, but was delayed due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) sit-in in the country. It was properly launched in April
2015.
Ahsan Iqbal said the paper work was converted into reality
as China was investing $ 46 billion through CPEC out of which US $
35 billion would be spent in energy sector through private
investor and the Pakistan government would purchase low cost
electricity from private investor to meet the growing demand.
Some 1,320 MW electricity would be produce through Karachi
port, he added.
He said, “We are focusing to update Gawador, overcome energy
crisis and building the infrastructure to improve connectivity
between Pakistan and China.”
The minister said the roads from Gawador to Khazdar via
Ratodero would be constructed in accordance to National Highway
Plan (NHP). One industrial zone would be established in each
province to acquire equal benefits from the zones.
He said free trade zones would be set up in Gawador on
2,000 acre and Gawador International Airport would be constructed
in upcoming two years.
Multan-Sukkur highway was also part of CPEC that would be
completed in 2018, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said there was immense improvement in economy,
law & order and energy issues. The country was moving in a right
path of development.
He said there was massive investment in the country through
CPEC. The world acknowledged that Pakistan was a emerging economy
of the country.
The security of CPEC was handed over to Pakistan army and
civil government was monitoring the corridor under the dynamic
leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was enjoying state
to state relations with China, who always played a pivotal role
to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.
He said Pakistan wanted good cordial relations with all
countries.