Real objective of CPEC is promotion of industries in Pakistan: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 (SABAH): Pakistan and China have agreed to broaden the scope of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project from infrastructural development to enhancing industrial capacity of Pakistan.                                           

The understanding was reached at a meeting between Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in Islamabad on Monday.

The meeting discussed issues related to mutual cooperation on energy and electricity projects. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Planning Minister said self-reliance in the energy sector will bring economic stability in the country.            

Commending China’s contribution in making the Special Economic Zones a success, he said the real objective of CPEC is promotion of industries in Pakistan.                          

Emphasizing that prosperity of Balochistan is linked with development of Gwadar, Ahsan Iqbal said work on electricity transmission lines in Gwadar has been speeded up on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said electricity supply to Gwadar from Iran will start by December 2022 and from national grid by March 2023.