Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming 14th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting between Pakistan and China, noting it will take place in July.
Chairing a meeting to review progress on projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he directed the scheduling of all working group meetings in March and April to ensure comprehensive preparations ahead of the JCC.
During the meeting, Iqbal expressed dissatisfaction over a delay in connecting Gwadar with the national grid and directed the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) and the Power Division to submit a progress report within five working days. He also voiced concerns over the non-operationalization of a desalination plant in Gwadar, emphasizing the urgent need to ensure supply of clean drinking water to the city. He ordered relevant authorities to take swift action and resolve the issue within the week.
Reviewing progress on CPEC projects, the meeting learnt that agriculture equipment and demonstration stations were received in September and December 2024, respectively, under the socioeconomic development initiative. Additionally, under a grant-in-aid program, 10,000 solar panels reached Pakistan in May 2024, while another 5,000 arrived in September.
Furthermore, drinking water supply equipment, including 150 water filtration plants and 10 tube-well solarization units reach the country in August 2024. However, it was learnt, the equipment has not yet been distributed or installed. Expressing concerns over the delay, the planning minister directed the Ministry of Food to formulate a comprehensive plan within three days for the efficient distribution of the equipment provided by China. He also directed the ministry to convene a meeting with all provinces and submit a formal plan within two days on how these machines would be utilized.
On the ML-1 railway project, the Iqbal directed Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Beijing and the Economic Affairs Division to engage with Chinese authorities to finalize a date for the visit of technical and financial experts to Pakistan. On the framework agreement on New and Emerging Technologies between Pakistan and China, he assigned the Ministry of Information Technology to take the lead in advancing discussions and implementing the accord.
Apart from the minister, Special Assistant to the P.M. on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi; the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, and senior representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Communications, Economic Affairs, Petroleum, Commerce, Food and Agriculture, Science and Technology, and Maritime Affairs attended the meeting. Representatives of the Board of Investment and other relevant federal and provincial institutions were also in attendance.