Infrastructure issues of SEZs discussed

Committee on CPEC received briefing on provision of utilities for industrialisation

ISLAMABAD:

A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was briefed on issues related to infrastructure of prioritised Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as right of ways, including provision of other utilities such as gas, electricity and roads for industrialisation.

Under the chairmanship of lawmaker Sher Ali Arbab, the meeting held on Wednesday at Parliament House was briefed on the business plan of the SEZs and a roadmap to improve investment opportunities in prioritised zones.

Arbab directed the departments concerned to expedite the provision of utilities for timely completion of the process of industrialisation and achieving the goals of attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing export led growth, reducing imports, strengthening local industries and creating jobs for people.

The chairman assured committee’s full support to ministries, divisions and other departments concerned and directed them to attach priority to CPEC projects for their timely completion and achieving economic stability and prosperity.

During the course of the meeting, the Committee was briefed by representatives of Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Board of Investment, Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Railways, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, National Transmission and Dispatch Company, Industrial Estate Development and Management Company, Sindh Economic Zone Management Company, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited.

The meeting was attended by members of National Assembly, including Noor Alam Khan, Sadaqat Ali Khan Abbasi, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Mehnaz Akber Aziz, Zahid Akram Durrani, Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Senator Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad Shahi and Senator Ahmed Khan.