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Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- 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.
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Preparations ordered for upcoming JCC meeting
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal directed conveners of all Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to hold their internal meetings during July 2025 for preparation for the coming 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting between Pakistan and China next month (August). The minister also encouraged JWGs to develop clear, actionable proposals regarding the potential extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and to share them with the CPEC Secretariat at the earliest. The 81st meeting to review progress on the CPEC projects was held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Ahsan Iqbal. The session brought together key stakeholders to assess ongoing developments across sectors including infrastructure, power, petroleum, water resources, food and agriculture, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). During the meeting, the Karakoram Highway (KKH) project came under discussion, where it was shared that a Chinese technical delegation is expected to visit Pakistan shortly to review various aspects of the project, particularly its financial feasibility. In preparation for the visit, the minister called for all concerned institutions to finalise the minutes of relevant working group meetings and ensure readiness ahead of the upcoming the JCC meeting. The minister also emphasised the significance of the CPEC Review Meeting as a key decision-making platform for ensuring timely progress of projects. He underlined the importance of active participation from all relevant ministries and departments to maintain momentum and coordination under the broader CPEC framework. The meeting also reviewed developments related to power supply for CPEC SEZs. The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting industrial growth through reliable energy provision and highlighted the importance of resolving outstanding issues on a priority basis. He underscored the need for a coordinated strategy to expedite infrastructure development and ensure smooth power connectivity for zones such as Rashakai. On the Riko Diq Copper Mine Project in Chaghi, the Ministry of Petroleum was requested to examine the broader regional potential of copper resources and evaluate the viability of establishing a smelting plant. The timely completion of feasibility studies was emphasized to maintain alignment with investment timelines. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research informed the forum that agricultural equipment has been distributed to all provinces. The minister recommended gathering feedback and utilisation reports from provincial governments to ensure effective implementation. Regarding Gwadar's 1.2 MGD desalination plant, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Gwadar Port Authority were requested to submit a comprehensive operational plan outlining key components such as water tariff structure, supply area mapping, and defined operational responsibilities. The minister also proposed organising an inauguration ceremony to mark the operationalisation of the plant, reinforcing the government's focus on improving basic services such as water and electricity in Gwadar. The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Communications, Economic Affairs Division, Power Division, Petroleum Division, Board of Investment, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Industries and Production, Gwadar Development Authority, and the CPEC Secretariat. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
