ISLAMABAD: Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that with the opening of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Thar will emerge as the ‘energy capital’ of the country and will provide opportunities for employment and growth in the backward areas of Sindh.

Speaking at an interactive session on the CPEC with civil society representatives on Wednesday, Mr Iqbal said the corridor would help overcome the energy crisis by enhancing the capacity to generate electricity.

Also read: Production of 660MW electricity from Thar coal to start by 2017 end: minister

He said the ‘early harvest’ projects of the CPEC would be completed by the end of 2017 and would bring about considerable changes by solving various problems in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

The CPEC would also help improve the quality of life through social and economic interventions, the minister said. Under the mega project special economic zones would be set up, which would create tremendous trade and economic opportunities.

Mr Iqbal said that China would also help build an LNG pipeline to supply natural gas to the power stations.

The development of seaport and airport in Gwadar and construction of the eastern, western and central routes of the corridor would connect all the provinces and regions, thereby turning the entire country into a manufacturing hub.

“The only way forward for us as a nation is to have strong belief in ourselves and keep on moving in the right direction with tangible goals and clear vision,” he said.

He urged the civil society to join hands with the government to make the CPEC a success as “we have common stakes and should work together for the glory and prosperity of the nation and the country”.

Chinese Ambassador Wun Wei Dong on the occasion said that China always gave top priority to its friendship with Pakistan, and that the CPEC had translated political relations between the two countries into strong economic ties.

Speaking to a group of foreign journalists, Mr Iqbal said that Pakistan was today well-positioned to be ranked among the top 25 economies of the world by 2025.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2015

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