Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project is a "top priority" for the government and "concerted" efforts should be made to ensure its timely progress.
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform was directed to ensure completion of the first batch of projects in energy and infrastructure sectors by 2017-18. Sharif gave the cabinet a detailed briefing on the progress of the CPEC projects.
Sharif stressed that the CPEC project is the top priority of the government and accordingly, "concerted efforts" should be made to ensure timely progress
He further stated that "speedy" progress on these projects is necessary for addressing the existing shortfalls and future demands.
The completion of early harvest projects will go a long way in elimination of load shedding by summer of 2018, the Press Information Department said in a statement.
He noted that significant progress was being made on the western route of the CPEC project. Employment opportunities would be generated for the local populace which would generate economic activity and enhance national wealth.
He further stated that the CPEC would ensure equitable benefits among different areas of Pakistan, including the most underdeveloped areas.
"It will not only connect 200 million people of Pakistan, but would also open up avenues of cooperation amongst people, communities and states across the region."
The cabinet was informed that a considerable part of the portfolio under the CPEC had been energised while the remaining was in the pipeline.
CPEC, an ambitious USD 46 billion project, will link the Pakistani city of Gwadar to China's Xinjiang via a vast network of highways and railways, allowing China access to Arabian Sea.
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