Ahsan reviews preparations for PM’s upcoming China visit, CPEC Phase-2

ISLAMABAD – Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, presided over a meeting on Monday to discuss preparations for the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to China, as well as to monitor progress on Phase 2 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

According to a news statement published by the Ministry of Planning, the meeting was attended by the Secretary of Planning and other senior officials.

During his recent visit to China last week, the minister reviewed the expected progress on CPEC Phase 2 and provided an update on the preparations and agenda for the upcoming JCC meeting next week.

Officials briefed the Federal Minister on current and proposed initiatives being considered by various ministries.

The Minister highlighted that guaranteeing progress on ongoing and newly proposed development projects under CPEC Phase 2 will be a top priority during the Prime Minister’s visit to China.

“All ministries and departments will have to play an active role in the completion of CPEC projects,” he stated.

He stated that successful progress on ML-1 would be a watershed moment for Pakistan’s communication and trade sectors, while expanding collaboration with China in other areas, including technology transfer, was a high government goal.

In addition, he stated that technology transfer would give Pakistan with precious possibilities to improve its experience and capacity. He stated that in Phase 2, business-to-business cooperation would begin alongside interaction between the two administrations.

The minister stated that following government-to-government, business-to-business would be an important strategic development in terms of relationship between Pakistan and China, adding that China had formed a clear vision and roadmap.

“We will also have to move forward with a vision for national development,” Ahsan Iqbal stated, emphasizing Pakistan’s importance in regional cooperation and partnerships.

“The Prime Minister’s visit to China will mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation in all sectors, including CPEC,” Ahsan stated.