Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects (CCoCIP) in Islamabad, focusing on accelerating several key initiatives under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The meeting tackled various topics, including providing electricity to the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ), import and export policies for Gwadar Free Zone, and expanding transit trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries via Gwadar Port. Additional discussions covered international seafood transshipment and the development of the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for a proactive and investor-friendly approach, urging ministries to treat investors like customers. “Delays discourage investment; swift decision-making is crucial,” he stated, pushing ministries to resolve pending issues within days. The minister stressed that bureaucratic delays and prolonged decision-making should not keep investors waiting, as it hinders project progression.
Iqbal also instructed the secretaries of relevant ministries to develop actionable plans to resolve unresolved matters, particularly around security concerns for Chinese officials working on CPEC projects. While reinforcing the importance of safety, he cautioned that strict security measures should not create an atmosphere of fear or disrupt business operations. He urged for a balance between security protocols and business facilitation.
The meeting concluded with a firm commitment to address the challenges faced by Chinese investors and ensure that CPEC projects proceed without hindrance. Iqbal called for better inter-ministerial coordination and smoother decision-making processes to restore investor confidence and accelerate the completion of critical projects.
The meeting saw participation from prominent government figures, including Federal Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Laghari, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, and senior officials from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat and Planning Ministry.
