By Abid Chaudhry
TWA
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Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, held a productive meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday to discuss ongoing and forthcoming projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Phase 2.
During the meeting, Minister Iqbal reaffirmed the Pakistani government’s commitment to the timely execution of CPEC projects and expressed enthusiasm for advancing to the next phase, which includes the operationalization of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These zones are pivotal for attracting increased Chinese investment into Pakistan.
Minister Iqbal is set to visit China to participate in the high-level forum on the Action Plan for Global Development and a Shared Future, hosted by the China International Development Cooperation Agency. This visit follows agreements made during the recent visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China.
The forthcoming visit will focus on the mutual projects agreed upon, including agriculture scholarships, IT training programs, the ML-1 railway project, and the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase 2 (Thakot-Raikot Section).
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong extended a warm welcome to Minister Iqbal, noting that this will be the fourth visit of the Planning Minister to China since the new government took office. Minister Iqbal assured the Ambassador of the government’s commitment to implementing agreements made between the leadership of the two countries, enhancing economic cooperation, and ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals following the tragic Dasu incident.
The Chinese Ambassador voiced full support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. Both sides reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the strategic partnership between their countries through ongoing cooperation and the swift implementation of agreements reached during PM Sharif’s visit to China.
Minister Iqbal is scheduled to depart tonight for a six-day visit to China, where he will engage with senior Chinese leadership and business communities to review progress on CPEC Phase 2 initiatives.
