Senate panel seeks to expedite work on CPEC projects

The Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development has directed the authorities concerned to expedite the pace of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Gwadar and decided to send recommendations for provision of gas and other facilities in the port city to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The upper house panel visited Gwadar during which committee chairman Saleem Mandviwalla and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on CPEC Khalid Mansoor spoke to media about uplift schemes in the port city.

Speaking on the occasion, committee chairman Saleem Mandviwalla observed that the pace of CPEC projects in Gwadar had slowed down to some extent due to the coronavirus.

He maintained that a private company was ready to supply LNG in seven months adding that water, power and gas could easily be provided to the people in Gwadar. However, he said one department was not giving NOC for LNG for which they would write to the premier.

He highlighted the need to appoint an administrator in the port city so that he could liaise with all departments and resolve issues.

He further said that the issue of reduction of Rs200 billion for Balochistan in the PSDP fund would be raised before the committee.

Mansoor maintained that Gwadar would be developed as the world’s best port city. He said investors were interested in the port city’s free zone for which 2,200 acres of land had been allotted.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2021.