PM orders authorities to expedite CPEC work

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday directed concerned authorities to expedite work on half a dozen projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that have been facing significant delays.

The premier took a detailed briefing on the delayed energy and infrastructure projects of the game-changer project.

The strategic initiative came to almost a grinding halt during the past one year due to reservations expressed by cabinet and enhanced fiscal controls under the $6 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.

The change in government’s priorities has also put the jobs of around 50 employees at stake who are currently working under CPEC Support Secretariat Project and CPEC Center of Excellence. Their fate hangs in balance after the government decided to set up a CPEC authority.

The premier was given a briefing on the status of 300MW Gwadar Power Plant, 1100MW Kohala Power Plant, $9 billion ML-I project of the CPEC, the Eastbay Expressway, Gwadar Master Plan and pending tax concessions for Gwadar Free Zone.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad today to discuss nine-point agenda including Kashmir conflict, BOL news reported.

According to the sources, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will brief the cabinet on progress so far made on the Kashmir issue while the situation after the UNSC session also came under discussion.

The cabinet also reviewed the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and recommendations of the Special Committee on Kashmir will also be presented in the meeting.

The meeting got a briefing from the ministry of communications to review its one-year performance.

The cabinet gave an approval to decisions taken by committee on privatization.

The cabinet approved Rs.5 billion loan for the low costing houses while approval of Pak-Turk Strategic Economic Framework is also part of the agenda of today’s meeting.

The cabinet approved two bills related to domestic violence and Christian Marriage-Divorce Bill 2019.

Meanwhile, the appointment of chairman and two members of anti-dumping appellate tribunal will also be approved during today’s meeting.

Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan over the phone Monday night.

They both exchanged their views on the situation in India-held Kashmir.

PM told the crown prince about the latest situation in the disputed territory. They even discussed the situation pertaining to regional security.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump spoke to PM Khan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged them to reduce tensions over Kashmir.

PM Khan explained Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir to Trump, the country’s foreign minister said, days after New Delhi revoked the autonomous status of the disputed Himalayan territory.