ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has expressed serious concern over the sluggish progress on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The federal minister showed displeasure while chairing a high level meeting to review progress on CPEC projects. Executive Director CPEC Qammar Sarwar Abbasi briefed the minister over the so far progress in executing the projects.
“The delay on CPEC projects which is the potential game changer for the region is pathetic,” said the minister, while directing the official concerned to hold a meeting reviewing progress within a fortnight.
“There is zero progress on Industrial Zones of Port Qasim, Islamabad and Mirpur which is unfortunate. When you don’t value your investors why they would come for investment,” lamented the minister. “In 2017, the excitement around SEZs was so high that all major foreign direct investors were lining up to be a part of it. However, due to delay in projects Chinese investors moved away,” he added.
The minister noted that further delay will not be acceptable and directed officials to ensure the expedite the work. “How would you attract investors when we fail to compete such important projects in time,” the minister. He directed the concerned official to hold a separate meeting to streamline SEZs.
READ MORE: Pakistan, China ink framework accord on industrial cooperation under CPEC
The minister also directed all Joint Working Groups (JWG) of CPEC to pursue sector-specific projects and initiate work immediately. As per initial CPEC plan, Special Economic Zones SEZs were supposed to be ready by 2020 but unfortunately, in last four years, there has been zero progress, the minister lamented.
He added that Interior Division should ensure the fool proof security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. During the briefing, the minister directed the officials to complete Zhob-Quetta Road which was initiated under the CPEC project. “Infrastructural development in less developed regions will contribute towards uplifting quality of life of the locals and generate socio-economic activity,” he added.
Iqbal stressed that all line ministries and departments to divert their immediate attention towards SEZs. In this regard, all potential foreign direct investors are to be engaged as well to hear their perspective and needs which can be accounted in SEZs design, he added.
The minister also directed the officials to address bottlenecks in infrastructure and energy projects. There is a dire need of hour for developing quality human capital that can take benefit of socioeconomic opportunities, opening up due to CPEC, he added.
He also added government plans to train more than 100,000 young students in various field like Artificial Intelligence, Oracle, Big Data and other fields. During the meeting, he also directed HEC to extensively engage with industry to ensure that Pakistani graduates acquire education relevant to industrial needs.
