CPEC activities resume with renewed vigor.

ISLAMABAD -- China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is once again kicking off after a decelerated stage during previous few years as the present government reiterates resolve to resume the pace of work as witnessed during 2013-2018.

The Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) led coalition government initiated China Pakistan economic Corridor had experienced sluggish advancement during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government with number of projects under the Corridor delaying due to unknown reasons.

The ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives under the supervision of its minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has resumed the activity and started interacting with the Chinese concerned authorities to expedite work especially on the stalled projects and include new avenues in the mega project.

Both Pakistan and China are engaged in finalizing the agenda of 11th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on CPEC where number of new projects in sectors like agriculture, information technology, tourism and others would be considered besides reviewing work on the ongoing projects.

According to sources in ministry of planning, the 11th JCC is likely to be held by next month. Although, the venue has not yet been finalized yet most probably it would be held in Beijing, China.

Both Pakistan and China are also mulling over extending the scope of CPEC to Afghanistan and the matter was also discussed at a meeting chaired by Ahsan Iqbal.

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, gave a detailed briefing on the third-party participation and extension of CPEC to Afghanistan.

There is also possibility of holding the meeting of Joint Working Group in Energy between Pakistan and China during first week of August where the issues of 1124 MW Kohala and 700.7 MW Azad Pattan hydro power projects as well as 1320 MW Thar Coal power plant project would be taken up with the Chinese side.

A joint study for the future development of Thar Coal had also been made part of the agenda.

Two key run of the river hydropower projects have recently completed under the umbrella of CPEC. The 720 MW Karot Hydrepower project has already started its commercial operation while production of electricity from the 880 MW Suki Kenari hydro power project would start soon.

'CPEC is back on track and measures are underway to provide sufficient power for Gwadar city,' said Ahsan Iqbal at a meeting held to review preparations for 11th JCC meeting and stressed the need for renewable energy projects...