ISLAMABAD: October 31, 2019: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar in Islamabad on Thursday wherein the project financing for Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) came under discussion. The Minister assured that the project will be supported however a workable model needs to be articulated to make the project viable for financing. 
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, Chairman KP Board of Investment Hassan Daud and senior officials of the ministry were also present. Various other infrastructure, water and transport projects of Sindh also came under discussion.
In a separate meeting on proposed Punjab’s projects to be taken up in the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee, Minister for Planning said that emphasis will be laid on socio-economic development projects in the second phase of CPEC. He stated that under socio-economic framework, projects of welfare nature will be executed across the country for the betterment of the people. 
Punjab’s Minister for Finance Hashim Jawan Bakht, Minister for Industries Mian Aslam called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Refrom Makdum Khusro Bakhtyar.
It is pertinent to mention here that 9th JCC is scheduled to be held on November 06 in Islamabad.  
The meeting deliberated upon various socio-economic, industrial, infrastructure and energy projects’ proposals recommended by Punjab government. Various priority areas to be taken up in the upcoming JCC were deliberated upon in detail. 
The Minister stated that projects will be recommended based on economic viability and after due diligence under CPEC plans.