Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday to review the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The session focused on expediting key projects and addressing challenges to ensure timely completion of initiatives crucial to Pakistan’s economic landscape.

Officials from multiple federal and provincial institutions, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Communications, were in attendance. The meeting highlighted the forthcoming visit of a delegation to China in April 2025, led by the Chairman of the National Highway Authority (NHA), aimed at finalizing the Karakoram Highway (KKH) project terms. Minister Iqbal emphasized the strategic importance of accelerating the KKH project due to the construction of the Diamer Basha Dam.

The meeting also discussed agricultural cooperation, with the fourth session of the Joint Working Group (JWG) set for April 22, 2025, in Beijing. The Ministry of Food and Security announced that 300 Pakistani agriculture experts would travel to China for training in mid-April, while concerns about delayed distribution of agricultural equipment under the CPEC grant were addressed. Minister Iqbal instructed the Food Security Ministry to expedite the distribution process.

Urgency was stressed regarding the operationalization of the Gwadar desalination plant, with Minister Iqbal directing relevant authorities to resolve the issue within the week. Additionally, he urged the Ministry of Power to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to Gwadar during the summer.

The development of CPEC Special Economic Zones was another focal point, with Minister Iqbal calling for a targeted marketing strategy to attract foreign investments. He highlighted the need for a competitive tariff regime in light of recent U.S. tariff changes and urged departments to enhance efforts for relocating industries to Pakistan by offering world-class facilities.

The meeting also noted that three key Joint Working Group meetings on Industrial Cooperation, Gwadar, and the Long-Term Plan would occur in April as part of ongoing CPEC activities. Minister Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening Pakistan-China ties through efficient execution of CPEC projects, which are pivotal to Pakistan’s economic transformation.