ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development and Reform Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar met Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan at Balochistan House on Thursday.
Senators and Members National Assembly from Balochistan were also present on the occasion.
Both the leaders discussed in detail the preparation and agenda of the upcoming Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), scheduled to be held on 20th of December in Beijing.
“The western route is one of the important projects of CPEC and its Zhob – D I Khan section is part of the JCC agenda,” the minister highlighted. “Implementation of the project would ensure socio-economic development of the remote regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.”
He said that substantial progress is expected on Gwadar projects during the 8th JCC, adding that implementation of four important projects of Gwadar, including a new Gwadar airport, hospital, technical institute and 300MW power plant projects, is an important deliverable of the forthcoming CPEC’s apex body meeting.
The minister further said that Pakistan and China have agreed to initiate socio-economic development projects in the less developed areas of the country under CPEC, wherein Balochistan would be given an adequate share. Projects in this important sector would be implemented during the next three years, he added.
The minister highlighted that mega projects in infrastructure and water sectors of Balochistan would be implemented through the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan on the occasion expressed satisfaction over the inclusion of western route project in the agenda of JCC. He said that completion of CPEC infrastructure and social sector projects with the support of the federal government would pave a way for the development of Balochistan.
The CM said that construction of water sector projects would help control severe water scarcity in the province.
