by Shafqat Ali

 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday afternoon thanked Iron Brother China for including Western Route projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan.

 

Pakistani Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed and China Transport Minister Li Xiaopeng discussed the issues of mutual interest including various projects of CPEC in a virtual meeting.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Murad Saeed said these Western Route projects would usher in a new era of development in adjoining areas.

 

Murad Saeed briefed his Chinese counterpart on Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision for poverty alleviation, tourism promotion, and sustainable development.

 

He also thanked China for supporting Pakistan's Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

 

The Chinese Minister highly appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision. He also informed the Communications minister on China's comprehensive plan, assuring China support for poverty alleviation.

 

He expressed pleasure over the development of Pakistan with the completion of CPEC projects. He highly praised the role of the Ministry of Communications in CPEC under the Belt and Road initiative.

 

Pakistan and China are working together on Main Line 1 (ML-1), agriculture, poverty alleviation, and other projects including the western route of CPEC.

 

During the meeting, the Chinese minister also invited Murad Saeed to attend the United Nations Global Conference to be held in China.

 

Meanwhile, the official media reported that the industrial units in Gwadar Port under the CPEC projects would enhance local exports as the construction of four berths had been completed.

 

The port, which was completed by China Ports Holding Company with a total cost of US $ 300 million, started operation in 2020, said an official of CPEC Authority.

 

The Gwadar Port Fee Zone Phase-I, which comprises 60 acres, was also completed, bringing about 46 investors, he said, adding there were about 12 factories in the free zone, among which construction work on 3 factories have been completed.

 

The free zone phase-II comprising 2,200 acres would be completed by September this year and it would help attract more foreign as well as local investment, he added.