Govt Urges Swift Action to Expedite Chinese Investment Projects Under CPEC Framework

By Amna Gul

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects (CCoCIP) was held in Islamabad on Monday, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal. The discussions focused on accelerating several ongoing projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Key agenda items included the provision of electricity to the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ), import and export policies for the Gwadar Free Zone, transit trade via Gwadar Port with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, international seafood transshipment, and the development of the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone.

The meeting was attended by prominent government officials, including Federal Ministers Musadiq Malik (Petroleum Division), Awais Laghari (Energy), Jam Kamal Khan (Commerce), as well as Secretaries from relevant ministries and representatives from the CPEC Secretariat and Planning Ministry.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized a customer-centric approach toward investors, calling for swift decision-making to prevent delays that discourage investment. “Investors should not be kept waiting; decisions must be taken promptly,” he remarked. He urged all ministries to submit comments on pending matters within days to ensure smooth project progress.
Highlighting security concerns for Chinese personnel working on CPEC projects, Iqbal stressed that security measures should not create an atmosphere of fear or disrupt business operations.
The committee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to resolving bottlenecks for Chinese investors, with Iqbal urging enhanced coordination between ministries to boost investor confidence and fast-track the completion of key projects.