Pakistan attaches top priority to development of Gwadar as a gateway of (CPEC)

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Planning, Development & Reform (PD&R) Zafar Hasan has said that government attaches top priority to development of Gwadar as a gateway of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will open new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and China.

He expressed these views on Thursday during the meetings of Joint Working Groups (JWGs) of Gwadar and Planning held here via video conference, the two sides also agreed to promote socioeconomic development and finalize a way forward for future cooperation in order to ensure early identification and implementation of projects.

Pakistan and China agreed to accelerate implementation of Gwadar projects, particularly development of Gwadar social sector projects, recommending New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital Gwadar and Vocational & Technical Institute as main deliverable to Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to be held in Beijing next month.

The meetings were co-chaired by Secretary Planning, Development & Reform (PD&R) Zafar Hasan and Director General National Development and Reform Commission of China XIA Qing. Officials from line ministries, provincial governments and embassies attended the meeting.

Expressing satisfaction on progress of CPEC project, Zafar Hasan said the government of Pakistan gives extreme importance to the development of Gwadar as a standalone. “CPEC in last five years have shown tremendous progress with the help of sound planning for a win-win outcome, to guarantee the expeditious, stable and sustainable development of CPEC, he added.

He highlighted that the recent visit of the prime minister to China and the Joint communiqué heralds a new chapter in China-Pakistan relationship and CPEC, adding that the government of Pakistan looks forward to working with China in new areas focusing on socioeconomic development, cooperation in agriculture modernization, value chains, and poverty alleviation goals.

He mentioned that MoU for JWG on socioeconomic cooperation was approved during the visit of the prime minister. “Within socio-economic development, the government is particularly focusing on education, medical treatment, poverty alleviation, water supply and vocational training” he added.

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Published in The Balochistan Point on November 17, 2018