CPEC Committee endorses to open Sust border for whole year
Committee urges to expedite the complete development of Gwadar airport construction
ISLAMABAD, The Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Wednesday recommended for viable proposals to open Sust border for whole year for increasing the bilateral trade between Pakistan and China.
The committee suggested to the quarters concerned to decide about the lead ministry which would regulate boder’s management framework for opening the Sust border for whole year and shrug off all the odds and challenges faced at the border so that seamless regulation of trade and economic activities could take place there.
The second (in-camera) meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held in Constitution Room, Parliament House here under the Chairmanship of MNA Sher Ali Arbab.
The committee was briefed by Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Secretary, Aviation Division, Secretary, Board of Investment, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Division, Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Joint Secretary, Power Division, Chairman, National Highways Authority, Secretary, Ministry Industries, Government of KP, Secretary, Industries, Government of Balochistan, CEO KPEZDMC, CEO, FIEDMC, CEO, PESCO, Managing Director, SSGC, Managing Director, SNGPL regarding Sust Border management framework, progress on New Gwadar International Airport, the updated progress on infrastructure Development of 4 Prioritized Special Economic Zones under CPEC (Rashakai KP, Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faislabad, Dhabeji Sindh and Bostan Quetta and Gwadar Fencing Project.
During briefing on Sust Border management framework, the committee remarked that the world was increasingly moving towards complex economic interdependence.
The committee said that in 21st century trade, commerce, investment and connectivity were Pakistan’s strategic interests.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction over snail’s pace progress on New Gwadar International Airport and remarked that the procrastination in provision of facilities to Gwadar which was deemed to compete with Dubai and Chahbahar port vehemently cripples economic activities there.
Pakistan cannot have prosperous Gwadar without having fully functional international airport there. It is, therefore, vital to take up the issue of its delay at the highest forum and expedite the process of its completion.
Secretary, Ministry of Defence Lt.Gen Mian Muhammad Halal Hussain briefed the committee on Gwadar Fencing Project.
He apprised that the project was primarily aimed at making Gwadar city a “weapon free zone” and to create enabling environment for trade and business.
He said the project started on 4th December, 2020. However, owing to reservations expressed by various segments of the society, it was temporarily halted on 29th December, 2020.
Government of Balochistan has also constituted a committee comprising local notables, elected representatives and civil administration for suggesting a way forward for the project, he informed.
Comments are closed.