Pakistan thanks China for including Western Route projects in CPEC

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Pakistan has thanked Iron Brother China for including Western Route projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan.

Pakistani Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed and China Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng discussed the issues of mutual interest including various projects of CPEC in a virtual meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Murad Aaeed said these Western Route projects would usher a new era of development in adjoining areas.

He said the inclusion of Western Route projects in CPEC will open a new era of development in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Murad Saeed briefed his Chinese counterpart about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for poverty alleviation, promotion of tourism and sustainable development.

He also thanked China for supporting Pakistan’s in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and others important issues.

The Chinese Minister highly appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision. He also informed the Communications minister about China comprehensive plan, assuring China support for poverty alleviation.

He expressed pleasure over the development journey of Pakistan with the completion of CPEC projects. He highly praised role of ministry of Communications in CPEC under Belt and Road initiative.

Pakistan and China are working together on Main Line 1 (ML-1), agriculture, poverty alleviation and other projects including the western route of CPEC.

During the meeting, the Chinese minister also invited Murad Saeed to attend the United Nations Global Conference being held in China.

Meanwhile, the official media reported that the establishment of industrial units in Gwadar Port under the CPEC projects would enhance the volume of local exports as construction of four berths had been completed.

The port started its operations in 2020, which was completed by China Ports Holding Company with a total cost of US $ 300 million, said an official of CPEC Authority said.

The Gwadar Port Fee Zone Phase-I, which comprises 60 acres were also completed and about 46 investors invested in these zones, he said, adding there were about 12 factories in these free zones and out of the total, construction work on 03 factories have been completed so far.

The free zone phase-II, comprising 2,200 acres would be completed by September this year and it would help to attract more foreign as well as local investment, he added.

He said East bay Expressway, New Gwadar International Airport, China Pakistan Friendship Hospital, Gwadar Technical and Vocational Institute and Gwadar Free Zone were operated by China Overseas Ports Holding Company.