The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has agreed, in principle, to include Keti Bunder Sea Port Development project, as well as Naukuridi-Mashkhel-Panjgur road project (which would connect with M-8 and N-85) in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) portfolio.
Sources said that according to the minutes of December 29, 2016, JCC meeting, Pakistan and China have decided to include new projects in the CPEC portfolio and instructions have been issued to the Joint Working Group (JWG) on transport to work out proposals on the implementation of these projects after further consultations, a private TV channel reported.
The JCC meeting co-chaired by Wang Xiaotao, vice chairman of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) China; and Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal welcomed the progress on consultations between the transport authorities of the two countries reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Highway Engineering Cooperation.
On the agenda of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation and Emergency Response, the two sides agreed in principle to include the Early Warning System Strengthening and Enhancement Project in the CPEC; and the JCC reportedly noted that cooperation in this area will respond to the challenges of climate change and safeguard infrastructure developed under the CPEC.
The meeting also noted that the CPEC presented a unique opportunity to integrate with regional economies and become a hub for trade and manufacturing with the Gwadar Port developed as an international free port.
The way forward for matured projects – Karakoram Highway from Thakot to Raikot N-35 remaining portion (136 Km), Khuzdar to Basima Road N-30 (110km) and up gradation of Dera Ismail Khan to Zhob, N-50 Phase-I (210 km) – was discussed.
The JCC, sources further said, urged the Pakistani side to pay close attention to the proper maintenance of KKH Phase-I to ensure safe and smooth transport along the CPEC.
Pakistan and China also agreed during the meeting to initiate preparatory work including joint technical and commercial feasibility study for expansion of existing multi-purpose terminal including breakwater and capital dredging of Gwadar Port and East Bay Expressway-II.
The JCC instructed the transport JWG to, on the basis of further studies and consultations, work out proposals on the implementation of Karachi Circular Railway, greater Peshawar Region Mass Transit System and Quetta Mass Transit System.
The signing of the preliminary agreement on Quetta Mass Transit System was welcomed by the JCC as well as preliminary work including a feasibility study done by the province of Sindh for Karachi Circular Railway project which provides a basis for preparatory work on the project.
The Pakistani side proposed the inclusion of rail-based mass transit projects under CPEC including Lahore Orange Line, Metro Mass Transit Project and agreed to grant exemption from federal taxes and duties on a uniform basis for mass transit projects.
