Second phase of CPEC framework begins, confirms planning minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar said on Friday that the incumbent Government has provided new impetus to accelerate the pace and implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Khusro Bakhtiar underlined that bottlenecks related to CPEC projects being resolved on top priority for their timely completion, a press release.

The federal minister was chairing a meeting to review development on decisions taken in the 58th progress review meeting of CPEC projects in Islamabad here today.

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Deputy Chairman Planning Commission (DCPC) Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, secretary planning Zafar Hasan, secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries and the provinces were also present in the meeting.

Bakhtiar said that holding of regular meetings on CPEC portfolio was manifestation of the present government’s commitment towards the mega initiative to fast track its execution.

He stated that the second phase of CPEC framework will focus on reaping socio-economic benefits for welfare of the people.

The minister emphasised upon the need to further improve coordination among relevant stakeholders involved in implementation of CPEC projects noting that completion of CPEC will contribute to sustained development of Pakistan.

During the meeting, various projects of CPEC were discussed in detail one by one. Secretary Power informed that the Chinese side will provide synchronised demand-supply study of CPEC energy projects by October 2019.

It was decided that the study will be presented in the upcoming Joint Working Group and will be a deliverable for upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CPEC.

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) officials apprised that it had issued true-up tariff for Port Qasim on September 16, 2019. Law Ministry will move a summary for establishing appellate tribunals to resolve tariff issues related to energy projects.

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It was informed that civil work for water and drainage facilities will be completed on time for Orange Line project.

About Gwadar Eastbay Expressway project, it was apprised that it will be on the agenda of the upcoming Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting and the Chinese side has confirmed additional loans for it.

Regarding Gwadar International Airport, Gwadar Development Authority has provided water supply of 0.25 mgd, whereas, Civil Aviation Authority will provider alternate supply of electricity till Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) makes arrangements in this regard.

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) informed that it will start work immediately on providing gas supply to Rashakai Economic Zone. It was informed that electricity supply of required 10 MW will be made available by December 2019.

The meeting discussed the upcoming JWGs and also took stock of preparations for JCC to be held in November this year.