Entire country to benefit from CPEC: G-B CM

Hafizur Rehman says all projects will be completed by 2029

KARACHI: All projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be completed by 2029 and the entire country would benefit from the multi-billion-rupee projects, said Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafizur Rehman.

“Today, Russia is getting closer to Pakistan as the government is steering us out of isolation internationally with its correct economic policies,” he said while speaking at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday.



Rehman said numerous opportunities have been wasted by the country earlier, but CPEC would certainly boost the economy.

In G-B, he added, work on the Rs35 billion fiber-optic cable laying project under CPEC has been completed and will provide an alternate communication system to the region.

The CM said work on the Karakoram Highway had been completed while construction on other sections was under way. Land acquisition for construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam had also been completed with Rs10 billion less than the original amount.



He said areas bordering China have a potential to generate 60,000 mega-watts electricity, a joint power company will be established under Chinese power investment programme to tap these opportunities. “This will add 60,000MW to the national grid, which will cost Rs2 per megawatt or less,” he added.

The CM claimed Gilgit was ranked 10th safest city on the international index, adding it was the third city in Pakistan to have completed the safe city surveillance project after Lahore and Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2016.