Cabinet committee reviews projects under CPEC in Punjab
LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht said that research, knowledge and acquisition of technology should be given top priority instead of investing in projects from China under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Punjab.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee here on Friday which was constituted by the Chief Minister on CPEC projects in Punjab. The meeting was attended by Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, Punjab Energy Minister Dr Akhtar Malik, Punjab Transport Minister Jahanzeb Khan Kachchi, Planning and Development Board Chairman Sheikh Hamid Yaqoob, Chief Economist Nabil Tahir and secretaries of relevant departments.
The minister observed that the Chinese experience in industry and agriculture and advanced technology could ensure an increase in production. He further said that the energy department should focus on meeting the energy needs of the province instead of national level power plants.
"The main function of the department should be supplying electricity to industrial zones, educational institutions and hospitals at reasonable rates. The formation of a suitable platform with the federation for resolving tariff-related issues is a matter of urgency," he added.
On the occasion, he instructed giving representation to the public health engineering in the CPEC project. "All the departments should highlight the usefulness of the proposed schemes for CPEC. It should be made clear to the development partners what kind of assistance the Punjab government needs from them so that the projects can be continued uninterruptedly in the future," he added.
While reviewing the progress of ongoing projects, the minister directed the Punjab Transport Secretary to make a comprehensive plan to increase the number of passengers in the Orange Line Metro train. "The energy department should ensure coordination with the federation for power supply in industrial zones. Feasibility reports of all projects should be prepared and their usefulness should be highlighted.
A representative of the Chairman CPEC Authority and the Joint Working Group should also be invited to the next meeting. The Planning and Development Board should improve coordination with the CPEC Authority," he added.
Planning and Development Board Chairman Sheikh Hamid Yaqoob directed all concerned departments to expedite the feasibility reports of the projects approved in the committee and work on ongoing projects; the Board will ensure the provision of funds. He stressed the need for the industry department to clarify issues related to the preparation of business models for business parks and land acquisition.
The CPEC Committee was given a detailed briefing on the ongoing and proposed project of the industry, agriculture, transport, energy and livestock departments. The committee unanimously approved Taunsa Hydropower Project at Taunsa Barrage and two projects for construction of communication roads of the communications department.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020