Islamabad: Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal chaired a review meeting focused on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, emphasizing the importance of developing action plans for CPEC development. The meeting took place in Islamabad and included prominent officials such as Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, and the Chairman of the National Highway Authority. High-ranking officials from various ministries and divisions, including Communication, Investment, Petroleum and Natural Resources, National Food Security, Power, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Interior, and Railways, were also in attendance.

According to China Pakistan Economic Corridor, this was the third meeting chaired by Minister Ahsan Iqbal following directives from the Prime Minister to evaluate the draft plans prepared by focal groups. The Minister underscored the necessity of implementing these plans with specific timelines and highlighted the progress Pakistan has made in the CPEC initiatives.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including the agriculture sector, where the Ministry of Food Security pointed out the absence of a long-term development plan. Minister Iqbal instructed the Ministry to collaborate with provincial and private sector stakeholders to draft a national agriculture development plan, “Green Revolution 2.0,” and seek input from Chinese experts. He also called for the expeditious finalization of the CPEC five-year plan.

Progress on Gwadar’s connectivity was also reviewed, with reports indicating the completion of the M8 Gwadar-Hoshab (200 km) and Khuzdar-Rato Dero (250 km) sections, while work on the Hoshab-Awaran-Naal section continues. Minister Iqbal emphasized the need for economic benefits in backward areas alongside infrastructure investments and directed the acceleration of a feasibility study for the second phase of the Eastbay Expressway.

The Minister also directed the fast-tracking of the ML-I railway project in coordination with the Chinese side, in line with the Chinese Premier’s commitment to advancing the project. He highlighted the potential for Pakistan Railways to generate revenue through the commercial use of valuable real estate.

In the information technology sector, Minister Iqbal stressed the significance of emerging technologies and urged efforts to promote student exchanges in IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with China. Additionally, the meeting reviewed ongoing efforts to ensure a consistent supply of clean drinking water and electricity to Gwadar.