ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said that the groundbreaking of both Gwadar International Airport and Expressway project would be held this year, while Gwadar University would also be operational from September this year.
The minister said that administrative work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the responsibility of Ministry of Planning with the help of other ministries and departments, while the Pakistan Army was responsible for providing security.
“On instructions of the prime minister to the army chief, 9,000 army troops are being deployed to protect the CPEC projects,” Ahsan said in a meeting with the delegation of Gwadar Press Club.
Ahsan said that both civil and military departments were functioning satisfactorily and in harmony.
The minister further claimed that Orange Train project was not part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it was funded by the Punjab government.
He said that Gwadar was gate of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the city would not just be the port city but would also become the centre of socio-economic activities for the local people.
He said that CPEC would help upgrade the local fishing and ship building industries so that the people of Gwadar could get maximum benefits from this project.
He said over $1.6 billion would be invested under early harvest projects, including modern airport , motorways , water , power, health, education and related projects.
The minister said that under the CPEC, not only Gawadar Seaport, International Airport, Expressway would be developed but also hospitals and technical & vocational training institutes
He said that Gwadar would be connected to other parts of the country by end of this year as work on western rout of Gwadar to Quetta road and Gwadar-Khuzdar -Ratodero section was on fast track.
“D.I Khan to Burhan Section would be completed by June 2018,” he added. He said the CPEC would benefit all the provinces, especially the most-backward areas of the country.
Ahsan said in energy component of CPEC Sindh and Balochistan were the largest recipients of the investment as of total $35 billion,$11.5 billion would be invested in Sindh and $9.1 billion in Balochistan.
He said the 20th century had belonged to political ideologies but today is the era of political economy, economic stability and inclusive growth.
While highlighting Vision 2025, he said the fist pillar of the Vision was regional connectivity and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would benefit three billion people of the region through enhanced regional connectivity.
He said that CPEC was 15 years long project to be completed in 2030 with special focus on infrastructure development, Gwadar Port, energy and phases by economic zones.
He said that the CPEC was a fusion of Vision-2025 of Pakistan and China’s “One Road-One Belt” for future growth and development.
He also mentioned that the federal government would help establish Gwadar Press Club building.