Iqbal apprised the NDRC vice chairman of other CPEC projects in the fields of infrastructure, energy, Gwadar and Special Economic Zones. He emphasised fast completion of Gwadar projects, particularly the five-million-gallon-per-day water desalination plant, and early approval of Khuzdar-Basima and DI Khan-Zhob-Quetta highway projects. He proposed that CPEC’s Joint Working Groups for energy, infrastructure, planning and agriculture should meet next month to fast-track approval of projects. Iqbal underscored the need for greater procurement from the local market wherever competitive goods and services were available and the vice chairman agreed with the proposal. Speaking on the occasion, Ning appreciated the minister’s contribution to making CPEC successful and expressed the hope that as an experienced counterpart in CPEC, Iqbal would be a big help for him.

Source: The Express Tribune April 14, 2018 05:33 UTC