Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level review meeting on Sunday to assess progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, with an emphasis on advancing agricultural cooperation, accelerating energy initiatives, and operationalizing key infrastructure in Gwadar.
The session, held at the Ministry of Planning, brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, Economic Affairs Division, Board of Investment, NEPRA, NHA, QESCO, PARC, Gwadar Development Authority, and featured virtual participation from provincial government representatives.
The review was organized in preparation for the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting scheduled for June 2025 and centered on strategic implementation goals.
A major focus was the formation of Agricultural Technology Working Groups and preparations for the 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting to be hosted in Pakistan. The Planning Minister was briefed on a Rs. 12 billion Chinese assistance package that includes 40 tractors, 40 multipurpose harvesters, and additional modern agricultural equipment.
The Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) reported that this machinery will boost agricultural productivity and enhance research infrastructure across provinces. Minister Iqbal stressed the need for swift distribution and directed provincial agricultural secretaries to allocate the equipment to local departments within ten days. He emphasized the need for coordination with grassroots stakeholders, noting that most provinces had already concluded initial demand assessments.
The meeting also reviewed the rollout of 15,000 solar-powered streetlights donated by China for Balochistan. Officials reported that installations have been completed in seven districts, with ongoing progress in the remaining 29. The Minister urged transparency in implementation, calling on provincial authorities to publish beneficiary data on official websites.
In a significant move for Gwadar’s development, Minister Iqbal directed the Power Division, QESCO, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to expedite completion of the transmission line connecting to the Gwadar South Free Zone. This infrastructure is critical to bringing the 1.2 million gallon-per-day desalination plant online—an essential facility to address the region’s water scarcity.
Reaffirming the strategic importance of CPEC, Minister Iqbal called for enhanced synergy between federal and provincial departments. “The success of CPEC projects relies on timely coordination and delivery,” he said, adding that such initiatives remain central to Pakistan’s long-term economic development and regional integration goals.