Missing links of western route of CPEC to be completed by 2016: Ahsan

KARACHI (Web Desk) - Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said the missing links of western route of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will be completed by the end of next year.

Addressing a ceremony of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi on Thursday, he said the completion of the western route will connect backward areas of Balochistan with rest of the country.

The Minister said work on Gwadar airport will soon be started and it will be completed by 2017.

He said several energy projects under the CPEC have also been launched. In the first phase, these energy projects will be completed by December 2017.

He said by 2018, about ten thousand megawatt of electricity will be added to the system.

Ahsan Iqbal said today the world is viewing Pakistan differently due to its successes on economic and law and order fronts.

He said that investors from different regions including Europe, United States, Japan and Middle East are showing interest to invest in Pakistan following Chinese commitment to invest forty six billion dollars in the country.