QUETTA - Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said that the reservations of the Balochistan’s political leadership have been removed, as it was a gateway to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Addressing a press conference along-with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, the federal minister said that no change was being made in the design of the CPEC. “I held meeting with chief minister and leaders of political parties, industrialists and traders and removed their reservations on the CPEC,” he said.
He said that all facilities provided on eastern route of the CPEC would also be available on the western route. “No cut will be made in development funds allocated for Balochistan,” he assured, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had provided a special grant of Rs 1 billion for Mangi Dam project in Balochistan and he was taking special interest in the development of the province.
He said that one access of CPEC is from Gwadar to Zhob which would bring progress and prosperity in backward areas of Baluchistan. “CPEC have several energy generation projects worth $36 billion besides establishment of several industrial zones along the corridor,” he said.
He said that the federal government had approved universities and educational institutions for Balochistan through Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and it was also funding several projects to cater water need of the project.
The minister said that another two corridors from Balochistan to Central Asia and from Peshawar to Central Asia via Afghanistan would also be built. “A new economic zone is being formed which include Pakistan, China and Central Asia. The CPEC is a national project which has complete transparency,” he said.
He said that roads, energy and industrial zones projects pertaining to CPEC would be financed by Pakistan, China and Asian Development Bank. Most of power generation projects were coal-based as Thar Coal reserves could meet our requirement for two centuries. The CPEC had power projects which would generate 17,000 megawatt electricity, including 4,500 megawatt in Balochistan, he said.
He said that four billion dollars were being spent on Lakho dam project in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. He said that the Gwadar port would have 17 kilometres long express way and an international airport, and the Kachhi canal project would be completed this year which would irrigate agricultural land in Dera Bugti and adjoining areas.
He lauded Balochistan chief minister’s progressive vision for the development of the province. Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party leader Abdul Raheem Ziaratwal, National Party leader Sardar Aslam Bezinjo, Pakistan Muslim League-N leaders including Prince Ali Ahmed, Tahir Mehmood and Jamal Shah and Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Jamal Tarakai were also present on the occasion.
DAILY TIMES.
YEMI.
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