Islamabad: October 31, 2024: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary underscored the importance of regional integration and accelerated progress on key infrastructure projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC at a high-level meeting held in Islamabad. The review meeting brought together senior officials, including Secretary Planning Mr. Awais Manzur Sumra and Joint Chief Economist Operations Zafar-ul-Hassan, along with other leading figures from the Ministry.

In his remarks, Minister Iqbal directed to prepare CPEC’s next five-year development plan, aiming to ensure equal development opportunities across Pakistan by fostering connectivity across the five designated corridors. “The inclusion of every province is crucial to achieving balanced growth, aligning with the goals set for CPEC Phase I, Phase II, and the project’s broader ambitions,” Prof Iqbal stated.

Minister Iqbal called for a rigorous approach to completing vital projects such as the Main Line-1 (ML1) railway upgrade and the expansion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH). He instructed that regular monitoring and assessments be conducted to keep projects on track, ensuring that these infrastructure ventures meet their deadlines and operational standards.

“CPEC is not just an economic initiative but a cornerstone for Pakistan’s sustainable growth,” Prof Iqbal said, emphasizing the projects’ strategic role in driving economic stability and prosperity for Pakistan.