Pakistan, China agree to accelerate CPEC cooperation

Pakistan and China have agreed to accelerate implementation of projects under CPEC in different sectors.

The understanding was reached during meeting of Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal with Vice Chairman National Development and Reform Commission of China Zhao Chenxin in Beijing on Friday.

The two sides agreed to implement Industrial Cooperation Framework Agreement and develop an Action Plan for the modernization of industry, mines and mineral sectors.

They also resolved to prioritize cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and agriculture modernization in the second phase of CPEC.

They vowed to enhance connectivity of the coastal city of Gwadar by constructing Eastbay Expressway to fully harness the potential of its port and industrial zone.

Both sides also discussed enhancing road and highway infrastructure cooperation by signing four MoUs for launching technical studies on D.I Khan-Zhob Road, Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Manshehra Motorway, Babusar Tunnel and Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway.

They agreed to hold the next round of CPEC’s Joint Coordination Committee before the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China.

On the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal conveyed Pakistan’s interest in diversifying its energy mix through transition towards clean and renewable energy.

He sought China’s continued cooperation and support for the early implementation of the Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydel Power Projects.