Industries Minister briefs PM Imran Khan about CPEC, other projects in Karachi

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Khusro Bakhtiar has briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan here regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other related projects in Karachi.

In a meeting with the PM, the minister apprised him about the steps taken for industrial development in the country.

Khusro Bakhtiar also informed the premier of the progress on the construction of the 1500-acre industrial zone in Karachi and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) policy.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Khan said that industrial development was among the top priorities of the government, adding the government was ensuring facilities to the small and medium industries to create job opportunities.

“Due to the government’s positive policies, the development of industries at such a large scale despite the Covid pandemic is a good sign,” the Prime Minister mentioned.

He said due to full functioning of industries, employment opportunities were emerging in the country.

In May this year, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Karachi under the CPEC.

On Monday, Prime Minister Khan had inaugurated the multi-billion-rupees Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project – part of the CPEC.

The KCR infrastructure projects inaugurated by the PM are worth Pakistani Rs 20.7 billion.

On Friday, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had approved a summary regarding the construction of infrastructure for the elimination of level crossings for the loop section of KCR.

The project envisages the construction of flyovers and underpasses along the route of KCR for the elimination of 22-level crossings. The rationalised cost of the project is Rs 20.71 billion on a cost-sharing basis. The project will facilitate the free movement of the KCR train.

The KCR envisaged the construction of a 43km-long world-class affordable mass transit system using environment-friendly electric trains.