New joint working group emerging under CPEC: Khusro Bakhtiar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar has said that a new joint working group is emerging in the world under China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).  

Addressing a joint press conference along with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday in Islamabad, Khusro Bakhtiar said that Pakistan can avail the benefits of international trade through CPEC.

He said if Pakistan could get one percent share in China’s imports, it would be around $18 billion and it can greatly benefit Pakistan’s economy.

While talking about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s forthcoming visit to China, he said the visit will highlight Pakistan’s priorities regarding CPEC and development projects associated with the program.

The minister said that PM Imran will hold meetings with other world leaders on the sideline of Shanghai expo.

Khusro Bakhtiar said that the Pakistani delegation will try to convince China to expedite CPEC.

He slammed the previous governments for not achieving benefits from CPEC and added that they neglected the program due to their personal interests.

” I hope, we  will give good news to the nation on return (from China)”, he concluded.

PIA, Steel Mills out of privatization list

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry apprised the media about the Cabinet Committee on Privatization’s decisions regarding privatization of state-owned entities.

He said that the committee gave the go-ahead to Privatization Division to undertake the process for privatization of newly established 1233 MW Balloki Power Plant and the 1230 MW Haveli Bahadur Power Plant.

The minister announced that the committee also approved the proposal for privatization of SME Bank Ltd, First Women Bank Ltd, Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, Lakhra Coal Development Company and Services International Hotel, Lahore.

Fawad Chaudhry concluded by announcing that it was decided to delist Pakistan Steel Mills, PIA and Pakistan Railways from the privatization list.