Islamabad: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says work on two mega hydro power projects is in progress in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a news conference in Peshawar this evening, he said development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the development of the country.
He categorically stated that no province or area is being neglected in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Ahsan Iqbal said no industrial zone has been set up so far. Energy is the main requirement for an industrial zone.
To a question, he said a detailed reply has been given to Pervez Khattak’s thirteen-point letter.
Addressing various functions in Peshawar, the Planning Minister said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a transformation project that will benefit all provinces, Gilgit Baltistan, FATA and AJK.
He said political coherence needs to be developed for its successful execution.
He said the project is not related to one government or a political party. It will run up to 2030 and it must not be politicised.
The Minister said in the first phase, over 35 billion dollars out of forty-six billion dollars Chinese investment will be spent on energy related projects through private sector.
The electricity thus produced will be added to national grid that will benefit all the federating units equally.
He said work on the western route is underway at a brisk pace. On completion, it will bring the less developed areas of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at par with developed parts of Pakistan.
The Minister said the government is paying special attention to education. He said the government has laid the foundation of “Knowledge Corridor’ during the Prime Minister’s successful visit to United States. He said about one thousand scholars will be sent for PhD studies in different disciplines in top US universities.
