Chinese security on JCC agenda today

Both sides will also set a formal timeline for initiation of ML-1 project

ISLAMABAD:

The security of Chinese individuals and projects will be on the agenda of the virtual meeting of the 13th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) between the two countries on Friday (today).

The resources as well as kicking off the bidding process for the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project – the country’s biggest railway scheme – is also on the agenda of the meeting that is being held to kick-start the CPEC phase-II.

All the preparations in connection with the online meeting, which will take place at the planning and development ministry’s auditorium, have been completed.

The Pakistani side will be headed by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal while the Chinese team will be headed by the chairman of the Beijing’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

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Sources said the two countries were considering stepping up the pace of work on the CPEC projects.

They continued that a formal timeline would be determined for the initiation of the ML-1 project.

The two sides will also discuss the agreement for the minerals corridor.

According to the sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for China in the first week of June after the online meeting.

Last month, the premier said CPEC-II would offer an opportunity to the private sectors of both countries to form joint ventures.

He underscored that CPEC had contributed to Pakistan’s socio-economic development as well as the progress and prosperity of the peoples of the two countries.

He hoped that the phase-II of CPEC would result in more industrial, scientific and green development in the country.
Earlier this month, during a meeting co0chiared by the federal planning minister and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the swift as well as successful implementation of CPEC phase-II.