Latest news with #CRBC
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt seeks Chinese, AIIB support for road projects
Listen to article Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held a detailed meeting with Chairman of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Du Fei, during his visit to Tianjin. The focus was on expanding Chinese investment in Pakistan's road infrastructure. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in road development, especially projects like the Mansehra-Naran-Jhal Kand Motorway. Investment opportunities, technical assistance, and future collaboration were also reviewed, said a statement issued on Friday. Fei explained that CRBC, a major Chinese state-owned firm, operates in over 70 countries across Asia, Europe, America, and Africa. He expressed interest in expanding operations in Pakistan and called it an honour to contribute to its infrastructure. Between 1995 and 2023, CRBC was involved in key projects such as the Sukkur Bypass, Karakoram Highway, and Karachi Coastal Highway. Since last year, it has shown interest in new ventures like the ML-1 Railway Project, Pakistan Refinery upgrades, Lahore Airport expansion, and the Raikot-Thakot Highway. Aleem Khan assured CRBC of full support and welcomed its role in strengthening Pakistan's road infrastructure. In another meeting, the minister met senior officials of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), including Chief Investment Officer Konstantin Limitovskiy and Director General Public Sector Xiaohong Yang. He presented the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad and M-9 Karachi-Hyderabad motorways as investment options. He said these projects link trade hubs to Karachi Port and are vital for economic growth. Developing road infrastructure is a top government priority, he added. The minister said AIIB's partnership could speed up Pakistan's development. He noted that Pak-China friendship supports regional connectivity and prosperity. He also mentioned that several Chinese financial institutions are already funding infrastructure projects in Pakistan. Aleem Khan reaffirmed the government's aim to attract more foreign investment in roads and connectivity. He said infrastructure investment leads to job creation and economic growth. Senior AIIB officials expressed interest in supporting Pakistan's development initiatives and voiced hope for positive outcomes from the discussions.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Federal govt asked not to politicise canals
Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, has called on the federal government to avoid politicizing the issue of irrigation canals and to give due consideration to the interests of smaller provinces. He said that the Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) project, pertaining to K-P, should not be entangled with new canal schemes in discussions at the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The CRBC (Lift cum Gravity) project was approved in 1991 by the Council of Common Interests. Following the CCI's decision, canal projects were launched in three provinces, but implementation in K-P has remained pending. Despite this, K-P has assured 35 per cent funding for the project. Saif strongly opposed any attempts to make the CRBC project controversial amidst emerging canal disputes. He criticized both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, stating they have historically deprived K-P of its fair share.
