Cabinet body seeks proposal on electricity import from Iran for Gwadar

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has summoned from the ministry concerned a detailed proposal regarding the import of electricity from Iran to specifically meet the future needs of Gwadar.

The meeting of the Cabinet Committee on the CPEC was held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the chair.

The meeting discussed all the CEPC projects at length including power and water supply, construction of Gwadar airport, free port, extension of the port and development of the Special Economic Zones.

Briefing the media about the meeting, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Musadik Malik said the committee has sought a detailed proposal regarding the import of electricity from Iran to specifically meet the future needs of Gwadar.

He said Pakistan is ready to complete the gas pipeline project with Iran if international sanctions on Iran are lifted.

Special Assistant said China has provided a grant worth over twenty two billion rupees for construction of Gwadar International Airport and work on the project will start by mid next year.

He said the government is also working out plans to end the dependence on rainwater in Gwadar and has sought proposals in this regard to execute long term project to cope with water needs.

He told the media that nine Special Economic Zones would be established representing all federating units including Gilgit Baltistan and AJK.

Malik said the government has announced five-year exemption from custom duty for the parties developing the SEZs and ten year exemption for the industries which will start functioning before June 2020.