MS Gwadar Newsbooks 2016

GWADAR NEWSBOOK 2016 www.alnoorgwadar.com/newsbook2016

I n a ssoc ia t ion w it h

AL-NOOR CARGO CITY GWADAR NEWS & UPDATES From January 2016 to December 2016

GWADAR NEWSBOOK 2016

January 2, 2016 Sat All Day

COAS General Raheel Shahrif visits Gwadar port -- APP

GWADAR: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Friday paid visit to Gawadar and vowed to help federal government in making Gwadar port as t as an international trade hub for Pakistan.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Raheel Sharif visited Pakistan’s biggest province Balochistan. He also visit Talaar and Turbat and vowed to cut roots of terrorism from province.

COAS met with people of Talaar and Turbat and claimed that Pakistan is on way to success. “2016 will bring happiness for nation,” he said.

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January 3, 2016 Sun All Day

China, Pak naval ships complete drills in East China Sea -- BR

The Chinese and Pakistani navies today concluded their two-day naval exercises in the East China Sea in which two ships each from both sides took part.

This is the first time navies of both the countries conducted exercises in the East China Sea which separates China and Japan, official media here reported.

Two missile ships from each of their fleets took part in the exercises, state-run CCTV reported.

The exercises included anti-submarine drills, air defence, anti missile and mock confrontations. Commanders of China and Pakistan gave instructions in rotation.

The Pakistani naval ships Shamsheer and Nasr arrived in Shanghai on December 28 to take part in joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defence cooperation with their Chinese counterpart.

"It is a very significant exercise which will enhance the interoperability and cohesion between the two navies," Bilal Abdul Nasir, Commander ofPakistan's 25th Destroyer Squadron told state-run Global Times.

A total of 591 officers and soldiers are on board in the two Pakistani vessels.

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January 5, 2016 Tue All Day

Pak Navy raises special marines to protect Chinese engineers at Gawadar Port -- APP Pakistan Navy has increased all-round surveillance at Gwadar Port with the commencement of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

This was stated by Pakistan Navy spokesman while briefing newsmen, who undertook an extensive tour of Gwadar site.

He said a special Marine Battalion had been raised for security of Gwadar, Chinese engineers and delegates visiting the port.

He said Gwadar, the main destination of the CPEC, will be linked with China’s western region through a rail and road network.

Terming the Gwadar Port `backbone’ of CPEC, he said Pakistan Navy is making strenuous efforts for ensuring comprehensive security as well as for the welfare of local people.

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January 6, 2016 Wed All Day

Navy ready for new challenges after Gwadar becomes functional -Pakistan Today

Pakistan Navy is ready and capable of providing security to all the maritime traffic likely to be generated once the Gwadar port is made functional under the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in about six month’s time.

“Despite the arms race started by India, Pakistan will maintain a balanced fleet but we will maintain minimum credible deterrence to face any threat,” Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini said while briefing media personnel on the preparedness of the Pakistan Navy. “We are quite capable of facing any challenge from any side. We are ready and we are geared up,” he added.

Briefing a 45-member media delegation, Hussaini said that with CPEC reaching operational stage soon, it was time Pakistan focused on the emerging opportunities and challenges.

The vice admiral said that the focus must be on the development of Maritime industry to meet future needs as CPEC would generate abundant business opportunities in near future.

Hussaini said that Pakistan had a 1,000 km long coastline where entrepreneurs could exploit the potential of seafood which could be worth around $2 billion.

“Pakistan currently has only nine merchant ships. Due to shortage of ships, we pay $4.5 billion each year to foreign ships. We can save a significant amount of money if we get more merchandise ships,” he added.

He said that since Pakistan now had a deep sea port at Gwadar so there was a need for building new shipyards at Gwadar and Port Qasim.

He said that like the department of Homeland Security of the US, Pakistan had established Joint Headquarter, taking on board all maritime stakeholders. He said that ship breaking industry also needed up-gradation as it was on the decline despite initial success in the recent past.

All Day

Pak-China to build 1,200 acre eco-friendly industrial estate -- Pakistan Today

Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT), Shandong Yulong Real Estate Group and Roshan Packages (Pvt) Limited on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 1,200 acre green industrial estate near Lahore.

PBIT Chief Executive Officer Amena Cheema, Shandong Yulong representative Sunato and Roshan Packages’ Tayyab Aijaz represented their respective organisations.

According to the MoU, the estate will house up to a hundred industrial units and PBIT will facilitate in identification of land, while Shandong and Roshan Packages will invest all the capital. Major Chinese businesses will be encouraged to set up their units there.

Roshan Packages in partnership with Shandong is all set to establish an ecofriendly paper mill with $40 million initial investments as soon as the land is identified.

“Green projects need to be encouraged and PBIT will provide all the possible facilitation to both the parties to set up the project,” PBIT CEO Amena Cheema said.

The idea of developing an eco-friendly industrial estate was conceived by PBIT and proposed to Shandong back in May 2015. This agreement is a follow up of the MoU signed back in May. Both parties also agreed to provide all facilitation to promote 1727

January 6, 2016 Continued Wed trade between China and Punjab, to generate investment and to organise trade fairs and seminars to bring together investors from both sides.

Such partnerships and endeavours were taking Punjab into a new era of creativity and growth, Cheema added.

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January 9, 2016 Sat All Day

Karachi: Chinese fleet arrives for third Pak-China joint exercises -Dunya News

Chinese fleet has on Friday arrived in Karachi for third Pak-China joint exercises.

Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zaka Ullah met the commander of the Chinese fleet. Chinese commander also visited Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s tomb.

People’s Liberation Army’s fleet comprising 3 ships has arrived in Karachi to take part in the joint exercises. Admiral Yeoman Xiang along with commanding officers of the Chinese ships also met Pak Navy’s senior officers, Commander Pakistan Navy Fleet, Commander Coast and Commander Karachi.

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January 12, 2016 Tue All Day

Pakistan and Iran to have railway track between Gwadar and Iranian port -- Pak Tribune Pakistan and Iran have decided to lay railway track to connect Gwadar with the Iranian port city of Chabahar.

The decision was taken at a meeting between Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and a 22-member Iranian delegation led by the governor of the Iranian province of Sistan-Baluchestan, Aaqa Ali Hosth Hashmi, in Gwadar on Sunday.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha, representatives of the Gwadar Port Authority and other officials concerned attended the meeting which discussed border security, drug trafficking, illegal crossing of border and other issues.

According to official sources, the Balochistan government delegation raised the issue of border violations by Iranian security forces.

The meeting decided to take up plans for border trade, new shipping service and flights from Gwadar to Iranian cities and towns.

A committee has been set up to monitor border security and related issues.

The meeting was informed that a border commission had already been formed that would look into border-related issues between the two countries.

Under another decision, Iran which is supplying 70 megawatts of electricity to Makran division will increase it by 30MW, besides providing 1,000MW to Pakistan’s national grid.

Mr Zehri said at the meeting that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed strong brotherly relations and shared the affinities of culture, faith and customs. Balochs living on both sides of the border spoke the same language.

He expressed the hope that the governor of Sistan-Baluchestan would play an active role in speedy implementation of various projects.

Mr Zehri said Pakistan was against terrorism and condemned wherever it took place. The border commission, he hoped, would resolve security issues.

He said he would visit Sistan-Baluchistan.

Aaqa Hashmi said the main purpose of his visit was to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring countries which shared traditional values. He said he hoped that border security issues would be resolved.

Meanwhile, a number of delegations of representatives of different local sectors called on Mr Zehri and apprised him of problems faced by them. The chief minister assured them that his government would take all possible steps to solve their problems.

He said work on the Sodh and Shadi Kour dams was under way and would soon be completed. The government was working to solve the problem of shortage of drinking water in Gwadar and address other issues.

The chief minister said a fully operational Gwadar Port and completion of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor would usher in an era of development and prosperity in the region and local people would be its main beneficiaries. He also said that local people would be given preference in development projects in Gwadar.

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January 13, 2016 Wed All Day

Establishment of Gwadar’s EPZ is at initial stage, NA told -- Pakistan Today

Parliamentary Secretary for Industries and Production Rao Muhammad Ajmal Khan said on Wednesday that the establishment of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Gwadar was at preliminary planning stage and 1,000 acres of land had been leased by the government of Balochistan in 2006 for the project.

He was responding to a question asked by Shahida Rehmani regarding EPZ Gwadar and said that the PC-II for appointment of consultant had been approved while the EPZA had advertised notice for appointment of consultant for planning and designing of Gwadar EPZ. Answering another question, he said due to energy crisis the industries were facing power shortage and efforts were going on to overcome the problem. Regarding Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM), he said, during the last two years the PSM had suffered losses due to interrupted supply chain of raw material and insufficient funds resultantly caused low production.

He said the federal government had written a letter to the Sindh government for taking charge of the mill but the provincial government had not replayed yet, adding that Rs 50,500 million losses had been recorded during the two years. Rao Ajmal said due to losses sustained by the corporation and severe financial crises, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Cabinet in its meeting held in 2014 approved the summary submitted by the Privatization Commission of Pakistan on ‘restructuring option of PSM’. He said the mill took 45 days to start but due to insufficient gas supply it was not working.

All Day

Jinnah Naval Base – Navy expands strategic outreach to West Coast, Persian Gulf -- Pakistan Today

While China and Pakistan endeavour to develop Gwadar Port as a commercial hub for the entire region, Pakistan Navy is gearing up to new face challenges and threats which might come its way after the port become functional; the navy has fully operationalised its strategic Jinnah Naval Base near Gwadar Port at Ormara, Balochistan.

India has increased its naval strength in recent years and aims at transforming itself into a ‘blue-water navy’ within the next 10 to 15 years. By 2022, the Indian Navy will have 50 warships including three aircraft carriers, five nuclear submarines, 22 conventional submarines and a number of long range maritime patrol aircraft.

India acquired a nuclear submarine (Akula-II) from Russia in April, 2012. A second nuclear submarine of the same class will be inducted soon. Moreover, the sea trials of its indigenous nuclear submarines are also in progress. Pakistani defence establishment is looking at this induction of nuclear submarines in Indian fleet as a cause of great concern.

With minimal budgetary allocations, Pakistan Navy is quietly relying on minimum deterrence to counter any external threat. Jinnah base may just be the answer to Pakistan’s prayers.

The base is situated 350 km west of Karachi and 285 km east of the Gwadar Port, and has been connected with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“With the development of this base, Pakistan has acquired the capacity to secure naval trade in these waters. Moreover, we have expanded Pakistan naval forces’ outreach towards the west coast into the Strait of Hormuz where all the oil traffic flows in and out,” an officer at the base told Pakistan Today during a recent visit to the base at Ormara which is otherwise restricted for media.

“Karachi would remain our focus for the foreseeable future. However, Jinnah base would reduce reaction time of Pakistan Navy to six to 8 hours in case of any adversity,” the officer said, adding that the base had a berthing facility “for anything 1731

January 13, 2016 Continued Wed from warships to submarines and from heavy ships to warplanes”.

Asked whether or not Gwadar would also act as a naval base for Pakistan, the officer said that Gwadar would act purely as a commercial base.

“Though Pakistan Navy has a small base at Gwadar, its main focus would be security of Gwadar. Jinnah base, on the other hand, would be a purely naval base which would help maritime forces monitor the entire coastal area from Ormara to the Gulf waters,” the officer said.

Rear Admiral (r) Pervez Asghar, an expert on naval defence, told Pakistan Today that Pakistan Navy had developed four bases along the coastal areas of Balochistan including Ormara, Pasni, Jewani and Gwadar which had helped expand its ‘strategic outreach’ towards the west coast.

“In the past, we only had one [naval] base at Karachi and our military installations were vulnerable to any Indian adventure. However, with the development of these new bases towards the west coast, not only do we have alternative options to defend our positions, our reaction time has also decreased significantly in case of any attack,” the retired naval admiral said.

He said that the navy now also had a submarine base at Ormara. “We have developed Pakistan marine corps to thwart enemy designs of amphibious landing around the coastal areas,” he added.

“Pakistan Navy is now well placed to secure all sea lines of communications (SLOCs) emanating from the Persian gulf towards Pakistan. Moreover, the naval infrastructure including Radars and communication gadgets, have now been able to overlap each other – a capability we had severely missed in the past,” he added.

He said that the new bases had also helped secure Gwadar Port as there was no military presence on the port due to its being commercial in nature.

“Now, navy’s special forces are better placed in Ormara to secure Gwadar Port and nearby sea routes. Moreover, Ormara base would also help neutralise the enemy’s narrative that they would be able to block Karachi’s harbour in case of a showdown,” he added.

Asghar said that Pakistan had also developed a jump-off base for Pakistan’s maritime aircraft at Pasni.

He said that Pakistan Navy had recently raised another naval station at Turbat, namely PNS Siddiq for P-3c Orion aircraft.

“These P-3cs are capable of flying over 14 hours nonstop without refueling. They have stealth technology and can fly below the radar and strike India’s Eastern coast. Pakistan Navy has also developed Naval Base Jewani, about 60 km from Iran to help expand its outreach into the Gulf waters,” he added.

Jinnah base would act as an alternative option for Pakistan Navy to Karachi where all the logistic and technical support for berthing navy’s ships and even submarines were available.

“We have developed the required facilities for technical repair of ships and submarines at the base. It is an alternative arrangement to the Karachi base and can easily meet our defence requirements. However, Karachi dockyard would still be the center for major overhaul or repair,” the Jinnah base officer said.

The officer said that during the next five years, navy plans to develop huge workshops at Ormara, which would also have the ability to overhaul submarines and warships.

He said that the Jinnah base’s positioning provided cover against natural calamities and enemy’s advances as it was covered by sea on two sides and a 2 km wide hill 1732

January 13, 2016 Continued Wed stood on the third.

On the top of the hill, called `Hammer Mountain’ due to its shape, Navy’s surveillance unit RDS-Mianwali is stationed to help the officers keep an eye on movements taking place in and around the area.

Since the Karachi coast has become a hub of commercial activity, making it difficult for the Navy to perform its tasks and the industrial waste in Karachi’s waters has been damaging the Navy’s assets and reducing the life of the ships, Ormara is a better option for future Naval operations.

The law and order situation in the entire coastal belt is far better than other parts of the restive Balochistan province as well as Karachi where Rangers along with other paramilitary forces is involved in a clean-up operation.

Jewani, with a population of around 100,000 people and approximately 90 km away from Gwadar Port City, serves as a main surveillance point for Pakistan Navy to keep an eye on all the maritime traffic in the Arabian Sea. Due to proximity of the area with Iran, many inhabitants of the area are duel nationals and can freely visit Iran on a mere permit from the deputy commissioner.

But navy has also has reached out to the locals in the area to win hearts and minds of the Baloch people. It has set up educational and health facilities, many of which provide free of cost services to the local people. Under Chief of Naval Staff’s scheme ‘Adopt A Child’, navy officers are paying educational and other expenses of 100 children in the area. The navy also provides jobs to locals in their facilities.

The navy operates a PN Hospital in Ormara which contains facilities like emergency department, trauma center, intensive care unit, labour room, operation theatre and a pharmacy.

A Navy Cadet College has also been set up the area, where 50 per cent of the admissions are offered to candidates from within Balochistan under a district-quota system. The other 50 per cent seats are offered to candidates from other provinces of the country.

A Bahria Model School is also working in the area to impart education to Baloch children. The school runs on donations and financial support of the provincial government.

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January 15, 2016 Fri All Day

CHINA KEEN TO SET UP OIL REFINERY IN PAKISTAN -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation (HQC) subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) interested to setup oil refinery in Pakistan preferably at Gwadar and Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Wang Guobin, President, China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation (HQC) subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) along with sevenmember Chinese delegation expressed this during meeting with Minister of State and Chairman, Board of Investment (BOI) Dr. Miftah Ismail here on Thursday.

Wang Guobin informed that there group has specialized in Oil and gas exploration and oil refinery. He further said that they were interested to setup oil refinery in Pakistan preferably at Gwadar and Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), is an intelligence-intensive, technology intensive and technology-oriented state-owned backbone enterprise. It takes technology as the guide, design as the lead, engages in such diversified business as consultation, R&D, engineering, construction management, equipment manufacture.

Dr. Miftah informed that government encouraging the private sector for setting up of oil refineries in Pakistan. Recently UAE company had also shown interest to establish oil refinery in KPK. There is no tax for a period of 20 years in this sector, Laws have been tailored to safeguard and ensure protection of investments. The foreign investment is fully protected under the Foreign Private Investment (Promotion & Protection) Act, 1976, and Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992, he highlighted. Miftah Ismail also discussed with Chinese delegation of investors about the available opportunities in Pakistan. The Chairman highlighted the investment potential and opportunities available specific for Chinese investors and companies in Pakistan.

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January 21, 2016 Thu All Day

Pak-China trade swells from $9.3b to $11.8b in one year -- The Nations

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said that China is the most reliable friend, has always stood with Pakistan and helped it in all respects.

He was speaking at Pakistan-China Business Opportunities Conference jointly organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Punjab Board of Investment & Trader (PBIT). A 100-member Chinese delegation also attended the Conference while LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Vice President Almas Hyder, Vice President Nasir Saeed also spoke on the occasion while Consul General of China in Lahore Yu Boren, Chairman Pak-China Friendship Association Sha Zukang, Provincial Minister Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Chairman Punjab Board of Investment & Trade Abdul Basit, former LCCI Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents and Executive Committee Members were also present in the Conference.

Chief Minister Punjab said that China is a very important partner in Pakistan Economic Development and Bilateral trade. The involvement of Chinese enterprises both in term of technical and financial assistance in several development projects is reflective of our cordial relations based on mutual trust and sincerity.

Shahbaz Sharif termed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as an energy and infrastructure program with the investment of $46bn in Pakistan. He said that $ 46 billion is the biggest investment ever made by China in any foreign country. This program, he said, when completed would help end power outages in the country, and ensure seamless connectivity between China, South and Central Asia. He said that investment climate is getting better with every passing day due to best policies of Punjab government and all possible facilities are being provided to foreign investors.

The LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad said that both the countries not only share border but also have unanimity of views on various political & economic issues. He said that two countries have a combined market of more than 1.5 billion people but the trade volume needs to be pushed up. He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project will change the destiny of Pakistan. He said that most of raw material is being import for the projects under CPEC. He suggested that Pakistani material approved from Pakistan Engineering Council should be used for CPEC projects. He said that Chinese technological advancement could help Pakistan overcome economic challenges in a short span of time. He also announced to set a “China Desk� at the LCCI to provide necessary information to the investors. He said that informed the participants of the Conference that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is making all out efforts to bring the private sector of the two friends closure. He said that the LCCI is also organizing Chinese language courses for its member so that they could interact with their Chinese counterparts quite easily.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder said that Chinese investment in energy projects will certainly solve the issue of energy shortage in Pakistan. He invited the Chinese businessmen to enhance their investment in priority sectors including Oil and Gas, Mining, Infrastructure, Power and IT & Telecom etc. He said that though trade has been increased from $ 9.3 billion in 2013 to $ 11.8 billion in 2014 but still there is a lot of room for enhancement of trade and economic ties.

Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said that both Pakistan and China had huge potential to increase the bilateral trade as the existing volume of two-way trade between the two countries is very small when it is compared with the total Chinese business. He said that incentive package and China-Pak Economic Corridor is enough to make the point that China gives top priority to Pakistan in terms of business and trade.

Chairman Pak-China Friendship Association Sha Zukang spoke highly about Pakistan and said that CPEC would further cement trade and economic ties between the two countries. He said that China-Pakistan relations had become an example of state to state relations. He said both countries looked forward to have further exchanges of visits, to have more high level contacts to promote mutual friendship and cooperation in various fields including politics, economy and people to people contacts. He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor would be further promoted, particularly cooperation in trade, investment, energy and communications would be strengthened.

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January 22, 2016 Fri All Day

Pak-China Sign Letter Of Exchange On Gwadar Master Plan -- Daily Capital

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed a Letter of Exchange on Gwadar Master Plan to make it one of the best cities in the world.

Secretary Commerce Tariq Bajwa and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong signed the Letter in Islamabad on Friday.

Under the agreement, Gwadar city will be developed on modern lines having all basic facilities.

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January 23, 2016 Sat All Day

Accord with China: Deal inked on funding Gwadar master plan study -Pak Tribune

Pakistan and China on Friday signed an agreement on financing a feasibility study for the Gwadar port and city master plan which envisions the port city as a regional economic hub.

Tariq Bajwa, the secretary of Economic Affairs Division, and China’s Ambassador Sun Weidong signed the letter of exchange for the feasibility study of the project on behalf of the respective governments.

The government-to-government arrangement will see China provide a The Express Tribune of Rs410 million to finance the study that is expected to be completed in one year.

Under the exercise, the existing master plan for Gwadar city will be updated and integrated with the master plan for the port there.

After the port had been included in the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, there had been a need to update existing plans of the city to reflect the new strategic direction.

According to a handout issued by the finance ministry, the Chinese side had last year agreed to finance the study under The Express Tribune assistance.

Subsequently representatives of the Chinese Commerce Ministry and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform of Pakistan had met in Beijing on August 25, 2015 to discuss details of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan Project.

They discussed the implementation mode, objectives, scope and timeframe arrangements of the project. The feasibility study aims to identify Gwadar’s competitive advantages vis-a-vis regional ports and developing a business case for the port, its contribution to export-led growth, market creation, industrialisation, tourism and revenue generation.

In addition to developing a business case for the port and city, the feasibility study will also suggest strategies to facilitate trade, tourism, community participation, public-private partnerships and industrial and economic development on a national and regional level.

Pakistan had handed over the control of Gwadar port to Chinese operators who are in the process of updating the port’s master plan. In November 2015, the government had signed a 43-year lease as it handed over thousands of acres of land to the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) to develop the special economic zones in the deep sea port.

According to the planning ministry documents, the current master plan of the city was last updated in 2005 and contains two inter-dependent elements: the port, and the city of Gwadar and simultaneous development of the port and the city.

All Day

All preparations complete for Karachi-Gwadar ferry service -- APP

Ministry of Ports and Shipping says the service will be extended up to Iran to provide safe journey for religious and general purposes. radio All necessary preparations have been made to start Karachi-Gwadar-Karachi ferry service to facilitate the travellers and businessmen.

The development has taken place in the light of the directives of the Prime Minister to strengthen ports and shipping sector.

Spokesperson of Ministry of Ports and Shipping said the service will boost economic and business activity in the region.

He said ferry service will be extended up to Iran to provide safe journey for religious and general purposes.

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January 25, 2016 Mon All Day

BALOCHISTAN TO RECEIVE $7B THRU CPEC -- Pak Observer

Quetta—Balochistan province will be receiving over US $ 7 billion funds of its share from investment pertaining to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

President, Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industries (QCCI), Jamal Khan Tarakai said that Chief Secretary Balochistan, Saifullah Chathha visited QCCI and assured the industrialists and traders that Balochistan would get adequate share from investment funds to be spend under CPEC.

“Industrialist parks will be established in Zhob, Quetta, Khuzdar, Gwadar and other areas of Balochistan where over US $ 07 billion will be spend to build power plants and heavy industrial units which would be generate millions of jobs for local youth,” he added.

He said that the Chief Secretary told that the provincial government had started process to acquire land for construction of six-lane western route of CPEC in Balochistan.

“Chief Secretary Balochistan told that construction work on western route of CPEC has started and it would be completed within stipulated time,” he added.

He said that billions of rupees were being spent on the construction of Gwadar International Airport following the architecture of Beijing, China Airport where double story air bus would also land.

All Day

Govt sees 2016 as take-off year for CPEC project -- Express Tribune The government expects 2016 to be the take-off year for the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar port, with a 100% increase in cargohandling and start of the free economic zone.

Ports & Shipping Minister Kamran Michael stated this in a written reply submitted in the National Assembly in response to a question raised by PPP’s Mahreen Razaque Bhutto last week regarding the port’s role in the country’s development during the past three years.

Michael said that during the past two and a half years, besides handling limited government subsidised imports of urea, for the first time the Gwadar port started containerised export from May 2015.

“So far six ships have discharged 35 empty 40-feet containers and exported 25 loaded 40-feet containers carrying 675 tons of frozen fish to the international market.”

He added that during the past three years around 40 ships docked at the Gwadar port and discharged 1.6 million tons of urea.

Hard times “Lack of railroad connectivity, unavailability of water, power and gas resources, and absence of required commercial and industrial facilities in Gwadar have hampered full utilisation of prospects of greater trade and economic development of Pakistan,” read Michael’s response.

CPEC for Punjab or Pakistan: Myth and reality Under the concession agreement of 2013, it said a private company has been rehabilitating unused and outdated port equipment, machinery and facilities, finalising the port development plan, and enhancing infrastructure and superstructures to improve port operations.

Hope The minister said that under the CPEC, it has been planned to construct the 1738

January 25, 2016 Continued Mon Gwadar East Bay Expressway with Chinese assistance to connect the port with the M-8 motorway and N-85 highway. “Thus, Gwadar shall have its direct link to Ratodero/Sukkur and Quetta through Turbat, Panjgur and Surab.”

To address water, electricity and gas issues, early harvest projects have been approved under the CPEC and would be completed within three to five years, he added.

CPEC- a window of opportunity for Pakistan Similarly, the Gwadar Port Authority has signed sister-port relationship memorandums of understanding with the Qingdao and Zhuhai ports of China and with the Chabahar port of Iran. “The port operator is finalising the free zone master plan and it is expected to start during March-April 2016.”

All Day

MoU signed for China Pakistan Investment Initiative -- Daily Times

KARACHI: At the conclusion of the visit by a delegation of companies from China, led by Sha Zukang, Pakistan, China Friendship Association, BMA Capital Management Limited, Gomtazy Capital Partners Limited and International Green Economy Association, signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of China Pakistan Investment Initiative (CPII).

The CPII provides for ongoing support and services to companies from China seeking to invest in or do business in Pakistan with reciprocal services to Pakistani companies. The visit, organized by the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, in addition to presentations on Pakistan’s sector based investment case, comprised B2B meetings in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. Various Federal and Provincial Government Ministries coordinated closely to make the visit a success. Sha Zukang followed by saying “China is very confident in Pakistan’s future and hence has invested more in Pakistan than it has any other Asian country.

He further emphasized that they have come to Pakistan due to their confidence in it and will continue to keep bringing groups of private sector companies to explore opportunities. Building on what Munir Akram said Sha Zukang emphasized how concrete and tangible results with the private sector were of highest importance. To ensure the same CPII is being created, to facilitate and follow up on any projects and investments from either side.” Ambassador Munir Akram thanked Sha Zukang for making it to Pakistan after many years. He spoke about Zukang’s many contributions, both diplomatic and conventional, in the development of Pak China relations. He went on to say that “it is imperative that we establish a process to follow up on either side for tangible and concrete results of various MoU being signed”.

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January 27, 2016 Wed All Day

China’s One Belt, One Road initiative promises to be the biggest generator of Asian mega- projects -- Ajot

While the Chinese economy has slowed, mega-projects associated with the One Belt, One Road initiative are rolling ahead with no stop sign in sight.

In mid-November, China Overseas Port Holding Co. signed a 40-year lease to gain control of more than 900 hectares around the Pakistani port of Gwadar, on the Arabian Sea near Pakistan’s western border with Iran. The China state-run company, which took over operations of the port in 2013, has promised to spend more than $1.5 billion on port improvements, a new free trade zone, an airport and feeder roads, with even more ambitious plans afoot of an LNG terminal, power plants and a pipeline linking the port with western China.

The goal is to turn what is now a minor port, handling less than one million tons a year, into a major entrepot for China-related natural resources and manufactured goods. It’s only one component in a $45 billion infrastructure package Chinese President Xi Jinping officially offered Pakistan during a state visit last April. That mix of investment dollars and loan guarantees centers on a 1,800 kilometer high-speed rail planned to link the western Chinese city of Kashgar, in Xinjiang providence, with Gwadar. The Chinese term the initiative the “China-Pakistan economic corridor.”

That, in turn, is part of a much bigger and far more ambitious Chinese enterprise.

This strategy goes by the odd name of “One Belt, One Road,” made odder still by the “road” referring to the sea. It envisions a series of land and coastal infrastructure linkages, underwritten by Chinese capital, that couple China with much of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The map draws a land route from China through Central Asia and maritime routes from China through Southeast Asia and then to South Asia, Africa, and Europe.

All Day

Navy increases surveillance at Gwadar Port -- Pak Tribune

ISLAMABAD: With the development of the deep sea port at Gwadar, the Pakistan Navy (PN) is anticipating fresh security challenges. It has thus allocated a special Marine Battalion at the port for surveillance. These marines will safeguard sea links used for communication and provide protection to trade ships routing in and out of the port in the near future.

In a recent visit to the coastal belts of Gwadar and Karachi by journalists, PN officials revealed that the new division was deployed in anticipation of trade activities through Gwadar. Trade is expected to spring up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. The battalion is an addition to the existing troops securing the coastlines of Karachi Harbour and Sir Creek areas.

Officials briefed about the operational capabilities of the force, and the scope and scale of their operations. “Most of the Indian Ocean including Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was declared a high-risk area of piracy,” said a PN official, adding that they then enhanced security. As a result, after the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia revised limits of the piracy High-Risk Area last year, it excluded Pakistan’s EEZ. Pakistan on the global chessboard Apart from security measures, the navy also shed light on its ‘people-centric approach’ to rehabilitate people living along the coastline. These projects include running schools, hospitals and vocational training centres in major towns across the 960-km coastal belt. Moreover, the navy conducted mock exercises of boarding and unloading helicopters on one of their frigates for journalists.

Focus on forces Given its proximity with vital international sea routes, Gwadar is likely to become a major port of the country. Located near the international sea routes leading to the Persian Gulf from where 17,500 oil tankers and 7,300 cargo ships pass every year, the navy will require major improvements in the next four to five years once the port 1740

January 27, 2016 Continued Wed becomes fully operational.

Pakistan’s coastline of apathy Once trade under CPEC magnifies and Central Asian countries also join in, it would need more equipment and platforms. For this, PN is in the process of shifting some of its operations and naval assets from Karachi to the newly-built Naval Base in the strategic town of Ormara located mid-way between Karachi and Gwadar.

Moreover, owing to the hostility between India and Pakistan, Pakistan Navy has plans on maintaining a 1:5 power balance with its arch rival. According to the officials, India plans on acquiring 50 warships, three aircraft carriers and 22 submarines, of which five will be nuclear submarines, in the next 10 to 15 years.

PHOTO: Irfan Ghauri Besides that India also envisions converting its naval force into blue water navy – a marine force capable of operating across the deep waters of open oceans – with intercontinental outreach. This in return would pose serious challenges for Pakistan Navy owing to their resource constraints. However, officials said that they want to maintain minimum deterrence and limited overseas outreach against these plans.

Fleet boosting To keep up with the challenges, special service groups and Pak-Marines have been trained to conduct special operations on land, sea and air.

On land, the navy has two warships, Type-21 and F-22P frigates. It also has Patron Craft Squadron, small but lethal missile boats equipped to safeguard sea frontiers and deliver an offensive punch which strikes deep into enemy territory.

According to officials, the main attacking fleet includes four former British Navy Amazon-class ships, known as Type-21, which they intend on withdrawing by 2020.

Four Chinese light frigates, F-22P, are also part of the attacking fleet.

Moreover, the navy owns an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate. To replace the Type-21s, they plan on adding another five to six of these surface warriors until new ones are built. Apart from these, the surface fleet consists of destroyers, high-speed missile crafts, gun boats, mine hunters, and training ships and boats.

For underwater surveillance, the navy has deployed the Submarines Service Force.

They are a major component and aggressive command of the Pakistan Navy. Their primary mission includes commencing peaceful engagement, surveillance and intelligence management, special operations, precision strikes, battle group operations and control of Pakistan’s sea borders. They also have the responsibility to protect the country’s sea lanes of communication, as well as economic interests and foreign trade.

Gwadar’s ‘string of perils’ Currently, the navy has a fleet of five submarines, three 90B Agosta and two 70B Agosta. In the near future, they are planning to add another eight.

Lastly, the third component of Pakistan Navy’s operations is its aviation fleet, compromising six squads. These carrier air wings include P3C Orion, ATR and Fokker aircrafts while helicopter units have Z9EC, Sea King and Alouette.

1741

January 30, 2016 Sat All Day

GWADAR FERRY SERVICE TO GENERATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, PROMOTE TOURISM -- APP

ISLAMABAD: All necessary preparations were being made to start Karachi-Gwadar and Karachi-Iran ferry services within two months, to provide comfortable and affordable travelling facility to the people and devotees. The services would also promote tourism and generate economic activity in the region.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, during his visit to Port Qasim Authority (PQA) on December 28 last year had directed Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), to expedite the work on start Karachi-Gwadar and KarachiIran (for Zaireen) ferry services.

Following the directive, Federal Minister of Ports and Shipping Kamran Micheal has taken initiatives to launch the ferry service within two months, the Spokesperson of Ministry of Ports and Shipping told APP on Friday.

Efforts were being made to strengthen ports and shipping sector in a proper manner. The people would enjoy safe journey for religious and general purposes, the spokesperson added.

To a question, the spokesperson said that two more ships were being purchased to enhance business activity in the region.

A committee was established to ensure transparent procurement of more ships and in this regard, process of recommendation would be completed in next few weeks.

Currently, nine ships were operating in the area to carry out shipments to other ports and earning profit, the spokesperson said.

To another question, the spokesperson said that PNSC had earned Rs 800 million profit on its two cargo ships.

1742

January 31, 2016 Sun All Day

China to provide Pakistan with 500 million USD for power projects -News Tribe

KARACHI: China will be providing Pakistan with 500 million dollars for the development of solar and air power projects.According to the sources at Alternate Energy Development Board, 2 billion dollars have been invested in alternate energy projects.

Sources say 90 percent of these investments include foreign aid provided to the country.

Sources also say that the target for the present volume of electricity produced by solar and air energy has been elevated from 300 MW to 800MW. Officials have stated the Pak-China Economic Corridor has greatly facilitated in getting financial support from China for power projects.

1743

February 2, 2016 Tue All Day

FATEMI FOR ENHANCED CHINA-PAK INTELLECTUAL EXCHANGES, ACADEMICS LINKAGES -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi Monday underlined the need to further enhance intellectual exchanges and linkages between the academics and researchers of the two countries.

He said this in his meeting with Cai Fang the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) in Beijing, said a press release received here.

Both sides also discussed ways and means to evolving an effective mechanism for enhancing regular exchanges of academia and research scholars.

During the meeting Syed Tariq Fatemi outlined the significance of China-Pakistan relations in the bilateral, regional and global context.

He described the relations as highly valuable, based on trust and on the trajectory of prosperity and growth. Friendship between the two countries dated back to ancient times and both the ancient civilizations had multitudes of people-to-people contacts, he added.

Many travelers, religious scholars, poets and philosophers brought together the two cultures which resulted in experiences that were mutually enriching for both civilizations.

He said that ever since every single generation had contributed and carried forward that tradition till the present day when deepened cooperation had touched an all time new height.

Tariq Fatemi said that growth in the China-Pakistan relationship was a strong factor for peace and stability in the region and beyond and termed the multibillion dollar mega project of CPEC as another chapter in the glorious book of sharing prosperity with neighboring countries.

Cai Fang said that CASS valued the cooperation and communication with the research institutes from the friendly country of Pakistan to intelligently support the construction of One Belt One Road.

CASS also hoped that based on Pakistan government's support, cooperation with Pakistani think tanks and research institutes would be further strengthened and deepened to work out more valuable resolutions for the construction of CPEC and contribute to the understanding of friendship between people from the two countries, he added.

He said that China-Pakistan relations, upgrading to an all- weather strategic partnership, had led the bilateral cooperation to a brand new historic period.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Pakistani government and people for CPEC. Pakistan's Ambassador to China Masood Khalid was also present during the meeting besides other participants.

Later this evening, SAPM Tariq Fatemi also visited the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs where he was received by President Lu Shumin and his colleagues who also hosted a dinner in his honour.

1744

February 3, 2016 Wed All Day

PM inaugurates Gwadar-Hoshab (M-8) portion of CPEC -- THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated on Wednesday the Rs13 billion Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Road (M-8), a part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Army chief General Raheel Sharif drove the prime minister on the newlyconstructed 193-km long highway, which will connect the western, central and eastern routes of CPEC with the Gwadar Port.

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SEZ under CPEC -- Daily Times

SIR: The government of Pakistan has recently showed willingness to develop the first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gwadar at a cost of $ 46 billion under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to sources the target is to make the Gwadar SEZ, spread over an area of 3,000 acres, fully functional by the end of 2017. It will be developed by China and would accommodate industrial units for mines and minerals, food processing, agriculture, livestock and energy. The remaining SEZs would be designed and developed on similar lines.

The Planning Commission figures show, other SEZs in Balochistan would include Lasbela Industrial Estate over an area of 1,290 acres, Turbat Industrial and Trading Estate over 1,000 acres, Dera Murad Jamali Industrial and Trading Estate over 50 acres, Winder Industrial and Trading Estate, Mini Industrial Estate Khuzdar over 50 acres and Bostan Industrial Estate over 1,000 acres.

At the moment Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the only province with eight SEZs among all provinces followed by seven each in Punjab and Balochistan, three in Sindh and one in Gilgit-Baltistan The development of Gwadar is only possible when the locals are taken into confidence. Before developing a SEZ at Gwadar, the government should also think of how it can benefit the residents of the city too. The question is will it be beneficial to local residents?

1745

February 4, 2016 Thu All Day

PM Nawaz inaugurates Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Motorway -- Dunya News

QUETTA - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated 193-kilometres long Gwadar-Turbat-Hoshab Motorway (M-8) in Hoshab area of Southern Balochistan.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, he said the government is constructing a network of roads to connect all parts of the country with each other for development.

These projects will bring huge benefits for the country and it will also connect Pakistan with Central Asian Republics, China and Afghanistan, he added.

The Prime Minister said the project has great importance for the development of the country.

He said Balochistan is being given preference for development, and equal allocations are being made for the province.

Nawaz Sharif also announced three other road projects. He said Quetta-Khuzdar highway will be dualised, and work on Baseema-Khuzdar, Shahdadkot highway and Bela-Awaran highways will start soon.

Nawaz Sharif said several projects have been initiated to link Gwadar with the rest of the country. He regretted that in the past, mineral resources of the province were not properly utilized and the present government is committed to use them for progress and development of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister referred to mega projects like Diamer Bhasha dam, Dasu Dam and Bunji project and said each of them would generate 4000 mw of electricity.

Nawaz Sharif lauded Army Chief General Raheel Sharif for his whole hearted support in addressing problems of Balochistan and welfare of its people.

Later, Nawaz Sharif and the Army Chief drove in a car together to inspect the project.

1746

February 5, 2016 Fri All Day

Gwadar to have vocational training institute to improve skills -- Daily Times

ISLAMABAD - Gwadar Port Authority Board (GPA) has planned to start building a Vocational Training Institute (VTI) in its Free Zone to impart port and free zone related skills and training to local people.

The construction work on this Institute is scheduled during this year with grant to be provided by Chinese government. GPA has so far incurred Rs.1 million on the projects and this excludes the amount spent by Chinese Company and Chinese government. Sources at Ministry of Ports and Shipping while highlighting steps taken to develop unprivileged area/people of Gwadar on Friday said GPA has setup a Social Sector Development Fund and was spending million of rupees on different social sector programmes.

In addition, they said GPA was also encouraging investors to provide grants to poor schools and health institutions for medicine. On two different occasions, the Chinese Embassy provided grants and gifts to students, teachers, schools, and hospitals. The sources said despite the fact that currently there are not much port operations in Gwadar Port and small revenue is earned, hopefully it will increase in future. They said GPA adopted a primary school in one of the poorest locality/income groups of Gwadar Town, renovated the school building, provided electrical items, furniture, uniform and restored source of clean drinking water facility.

The GPA was also providing annually three scholarships to toppers of Primary, Middle and Matric examinations studying in government schools in Gwadar District while Information Technology (IT) literacy was being encouraged in the very poor localities of Gwadar and so far it has provided three computers to IT centers functioning in such areas.

Moreover, the sources said GPA has also provided books to best students belonging to poor families and added with efforts of GPA and Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the Chinese government was providing solar electric systems and goods LED bulbs, tube lights and Solar Power Generation systems) to poor families in Gwadar. The total amount of this grant is about Rs.320 million. These goods are scheduled to arrive Gwadar in March/April 2016, the sources added.

The sources said the Port Operator (M/s China Overseas Port Holding Company) has donated three school buses as part of Social Sector Responsibility through GPA to Education Department, Gwadar. The Chinese Company has also created an Education Support Funds Rs. 500,000 annually.

1747

February 6, 2016 Sat All Day

Training locals: Gwadar Port Authority to set up training centre -- The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Gwadar Port Authority Board (GPA) has planned to start building a vocational training institute (VTI) in its free zone in a bid to impart port and free zone-related training to local people.

The construction of this institute is scheduled to begin during this year with a grant to be provided by the Chinese government.

GPA has so far spent Rs1 million on the project and this excludes the amount spent by the Chinese company and government.

Sources at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, while highlighting steps taken to develop the unprivileged areas of Gwadar, on Friday said GPA has set up a social sector development fund and was spending millions of rupees on different social sector programmes.

In addition, they said GPA was also encouraging investors to provide grants to poor schools and health institutions for medicines.

The sources said despite the fact that currently there is not much port operations at Gwadar Port and a small revenue is earned, hopefully it will increase in future. “GPA adopted a primary school in one of the poorest localities of Gwadar, renovated the school building and provided clean drinking water facility.�

Additionally the GPA was also providing three scholarships to high-achieving students of primary, middle and matric examinations studying in government schools in the Gwadar District annually.

The sources added that due to GPA information technology (IT) literacy was being promoted in the poor localities and so far it has provided three computers to IT centers functioning in such areas.

Moreover, the sources said GPA has also provided books to exceptional students from low-income families and added with that with the efforts of GPA and the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the Chinese government was providing solar electric systems, LED bulbs, tube lights and Solar Power Generation systems) to poor families in Gwadar.

The total amount of this grant is about Rs320 million. These goods are scheduled to arrive in Gwadar in March/April 2016, the sources added.

They also said that the port operator, China Overseas Port Holding Company, has donated three school buses as part of their social sector responsibility through GPA to the education department, Gwadar.

1748

February 9, 2016 Tue All Day

Norwegian businessmen invited to tap huge potential of Pakistan -- The Nations

Lahore - Pakistan is well positioned to take off as economic indicators are portraying an encouraging picture.

Growth rate is expected to reach 6 to 8 per cent in 2018 therefore businessmen of Norway should come forward and avail the opportunities through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts.

These views were expressed by the LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder while talking to the Ambassador of Norway Tore Nedrebo here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday.

Executive Committee Members Mian Zahid Javed and Shahzad Ahmed were also present on the occasion.

The LCCI Senior Vice President said that Pakistan is a huge market and this is high time for the foreign investors to tape huge potential and take full advantage of the investment-friendly policies of the present regime.

He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is ready to extend maximum cooperation to the businessmen of Norway in this regard.

Almas Hyder said that Norway and Pakistan are well known to each other and their mutual ties range from good diplomatic, cultural and economic relations but these are not being reflected in bilateral trade.

The volume of total bilateral trade and imports of Pakistan from Norway are constantly dipping since 2012.

He said that total mutual trade volume has come down to $ 69 million in 2014 from $ 78 million in 2012.

He said that trade figures of last three years suggest that both countries must jointly make efforts to reverse the declining trend.

The LCCI Senior Vice President said that direct interaction between the business communities of two countries can make it possible to cause quantum jump in trade figures.

Pakistan’s exports to Norway include bed linens, articles of apparel & clothing, rice, sports goods and hosiery items etc.

Pakistan’s imports from Norway are limited to polymers of ethylene & vinyl chloride and some natural polymers in primary forms.

Other items include electrical equipment and scrap of iron & steel etc.

He said that Pakistan is not only interested to improve trade relations with Norway but also want to welcome Norwegian investors to Pakistan.

He said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened up new opportunities of trade and investment in Pakistan.

He urged the Ambassador of Norway to play role in projecting Pakistan as a good market for international buyers and investors.

Almas Hyder said that LCCI will take a delegation to Norway soon to explore trade and investment opportunities.

On the occasion, issue of establishment of Pak-Norway Business Council also came under discussion.

The Ambassador of Norway Tore Nedrebo said that a number of Norwegian companies are planning to invest here especially in power sector of Pakistan.

He asked the LCCI to help identify areas of common interest.

He informed the LCCI Senior Vice President that Norway-based company Telenor is providing employment to 4000/5000 people in Pakistan.

He said that there is a need to make more concerted and sector-specific efforts to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries and Norway is ready to take all steps to expand its ties with Pakistan for socio-economic development of the country.

The Ambassador assured his full cooperation to the Lahore Chamber of Commerce 1749

February 9, 2016 Continued Tue and Industry for strengthening the existing business relations between the two Norway and Pakistan.

He also eulogized the LCCI saying that the exchange of trade delegations and trade fairs are the most effective marketing tool in this fast changing global scenario.

1750

February 11, 2016 Thu All Day

Pak, Qatar PMs see display of JF-17, Super Mushshak -- The Nation

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the Prime Minister of Qatar Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani witnessed the scintillating aerial display of PAF JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft at Doha, Qatar on Wednesday.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and Major General (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem, Chief of General Staff, Qatar Armed Forces were also present at the occasion.

Senior government and military officials of both countries also witnessed the aerial display.

It was a momentous occasion when PAF JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft presented spectacular aerial display in the skies of Qatar for the first time.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force briefed both the dignitaries about the capabilities of these indigenously manufactured aircraft. Both the dignitaries lauded the performance of PAF aircraft and later on met with the PAF contingent.

A JF-17 Thunder and 02 Super Mushshak aircraft landed in Qatar on February 7, 2016 for static and aerial display. Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and high power delegation is on official visit to Qatar. JF-17 Thunder is a combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China. This light-weight, singleengine, multi-role aircraft can be used for ground attack and air intercept role.

The JF-17 can employ variety of weapons including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. The aircraft is equipped with cutting edge avionics and weaponry.

Super Mushshak is being completely manufactured in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra, which has been exported to many friendly countries. These air forces are not only operating this sophisticated trainer aircraft but also get training of its air and ground crew from Pakistan.

FOUR MOUS SIGNED: APP adds: Pakistan and Qatar yesterday signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) including a long term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement, cooperation in the fields of Radio and Television, Health and Academic Research activities.

The signing ceremony was also witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani in Doha.

The first MoU about cooperation between the two countries in radio and television was signed by Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Minister of Qatar Muhammad bin Abdurrehman Al-Thani. The MoU on cooperation between the two countries in health sector was signed by Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Qatari Health Minister Hanan Muhammad Alkwari.

Both the countries signed Acknowledgement of Long-term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement between Qatar Petroleum and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan. The document was signed by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chairman Qatar Gas Board of Directors, Saad Sharida.

While a memorandum of understanding in academic research and cooperation activities between the two countries was signed by Pakistan Ambassador to Qatar Shahzad Ahmed and Commander of Strategic Studies in Qatar Armed Forces Staff Major General Saud Ali Alnaeemi.

Earlier, when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his delegation arrived at Doha International Airport, they were given a warm welcome. Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasir bin Khalifa Al-Thani warmly received the prime minister and his delegation at the airport.

Two children attired in traditional dress presented him bouquet.

Later, the official receiving ceremony was held at Diwan-e-Emiri where the Emir of Qatar received the prime minister and his delegation. Guard of honour was presented to the prime minister on arrival at the palace. Prime Minister Sharif and Qatar Emir Khalifa Al-Thani reviewed the guard of honor.

Both the leaders also held one-on-one meeting and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest while delegations level talks were held followed by signing of the MoUs. The main focus of the prime minister's visit and interaction with the Qatari leadership is to enhance bilateral relations in various fields including energy cooperation, trade and investment, defence and increase in employment 1751

February 11, 2016 Continued Thu opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar.

The Emir of Qatar paid a visit to Pakistan on March 23-24 last year. This return visit by the prime minister in a period of less than one year is a testimony of growing relations between the two brotherly countries.

Qatar hosts more than 115,000 Pakistanis, who have been contributing towards the development and prosperity of the country and act as a bridge between the people of two brotherly countries. Pakistan attaches great importance to its ties with Qatar.

The two countries enjoy friendly and fraternal relations marked by close cooperation. Both sides share perception on various regional and international issues.

During the meeting with Emir of Qatar held at the Aiwan-e-Emiri, the prime minister said Pakistan is an ideal destination for investors and called upon the Qatar Investment Authority to explore the opportunities in Pakistan's oil and gas sector.

Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan and Qatar enjoy strong fraternal relations. He said Pakistan has huge manpower and Qatar can benefit by utilising the services of more Pakistanis. He said the trade and investment in all fields between the two countries must be increased.

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Spokesperson to Prime Minister says contract for import of LNG with Qatar would help meet 25% gas requirements of the country. -- Radio Pakistan

Spokesperson to Prime Minister Dr. Musadik Malik says Pakistan would start receiving LNG at one of the lowest rates in the world within sixty days.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, he said the contract for import of LNG with Qatar would help meet 25% gas requirements of the country.

The Spokesperson said the deal would also help accelerate the pace of economic development, increase electricity generation and enhance fertilizer production.

To a question, he said the price of LNG from Qatar would be less than the price of gas under TAPI and IP gas pipeline projects. He said India too has entered into a contract for import of LNG at 35 to 37% higher rates than Pakistan.

Responding to another question, Dr. Musadik Malik said all five LNG terminals would be established in the country.

He said another terminal at Karachi would become operational by the end of next year. Country's largest LNG terminal to be built at Gwadar will have a capacity of process one billion cubic feet of gas.

The spokesperson said a pipeline is being laid between Nawab Shah and Gwadar and with its completion there would remain only 80 kilometre portion to accomplish the IP gas pipeline project.

1752

February 12, 2016 Fri All Day

Pakistan Railways to make joint venture with int’l firm for manufacturing of locomotives -- APP ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Parliamentary Secretary for Railways Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah Bukhari Friday said that Pakistan Railways was going to make a joint venture with a big international firm for manufacturing of locomotives at Risalpur Factory.

During question hour in the National Assembly, he informed that the present government has claimed the warranty and underframe of these 16 locomotives are being got replaced.

He said Pakistan has also engineers who are capable to overhaul these engines.

He said that the tender of these locomotives were float in 2012 by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Ashiq said the government of PML-Q had purchased a total of 69 engines from Dongfang Company adding that most of these locomotives were cracked but no action was taken at that time by the minister of railway Shaikh Rashid against the company.

Answering a question he said Pakistan People’s Party again signed an agreement with the CSR Ziyang Co. Ltd and bought 29 engines again and added if these engines were found cracked we will declared it black list too.

When government of PML-N took over the charge, it cancels all agreements with Dongfang Electric International Corporation, Chinese firm and declared it black listed.

Pakistan Railway has signed early transit projects with Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) through which, he said new railway stations, tracks, would be established.

The train could be run on these tracks on the speed of 160 km/hour adding that all railway system would be upgraded through the project of CPEC. To a question, Ashiq Hussain said that over 1.8 billion rupees foreign aid have been provided to Pakistan Railways for three projects.

He said that Pakistan Railways has not entered into any contract for purchase of locomotives from China.

He shared the details of contract agreements which were signed in 2012 for procurement locomotives from China included two contract agreements for procurement of 29 Nos. (CBU) (3000-3500 HP) and 29 (2000-2500 HP) D.E. locomotives (CBU) with M/s CSR Ziyang Co. Ltd amounting to US$ 61.16 million and US$ 55.69 million respectively.

Parliamentary Secretary said that all the 58 locomotives have been received and working on Pakistan Railways system.

A contract agreement for procurement of material for manufacturing of 5 locomotives (3000 HP) in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) condition amounting to US$ 12.82 million was signed in 2013 with M/s CSR Ziyang Co Ltd. China.

After receipt of material all the five (5) locomotives have been manufactured / assembled at Pakistan Locomotive Factory, Risalpur and working on Pakistan Railways system.

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PM Nawaz: Will build Lahore-Karachi Motorway, increase trade with Qatar -- Dunya News

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has addressed the Pakistani community in Qatar on Thursday in which he has shown his desire to increase trade and investment 1753

February 12, 2016 Continued Fri relations with Qatar.

According to the details, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has addressed a gathering of Pakistani community in Qatar’s capital, Doha. He said that Qatari leadership has acknowledged the role of Pakistani community in the progress of Qatar. He told the gathering that he was honored to hear praise for Pakistani community from the Qatari Amir.

Sharif told the gathering that his government is working on several energy projects ranging from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), coal, hydel, solar and wind to end energy shortage. He declared that the LNG agreement with Qatar is historic and is very vital for Pakistan, which is facing a huge gas crisis. He expressed his gratefulness for the Qatari government for providing the lowest rates of LNG for Pakistan.

The Prime Minister told the gathering that previous governments have done extreme injustice to the public. He said they are reaping the mistakes of previous governments. He said they promised before elections to bring electricity in the country and to lower its tariff. Today, he said they are going towards completing this promise.

Sharif told the gathering that today Pakistan has the highest foreign exchange reserves in the history. He said Pakistan is progressing compared to three years ago. He said that even the president of the World Bank has praised the economic performance of Pakistan.

On the security situation of Pakistan, Sharif said that today, Pakistan’s security situation is better compared to three years ago. He said that his government started the Zarb-e-Azb military operation which has severely damaged terrorist networks resulting in decrease of terrorism. He expressed his government’s determination to continue the operation till its logical end.

He said that they are building the Gwadar port and the world’s most beautiful airport in Gwadar. He also addressed the PIA issue; said that they want to bring PIA on its foot and added the government will make PIA’s quality equal to Qatar Airways.

The premier also announced that the government is going to build Lahore-Karachi motorway and a motorway from the Chinese border to Abbottabad. He said they will build an expressway, which will lead the country towards the road to progress. He said that the development projects started by his governments in the past were not completed by the preceding governments.

1754

February 14, 2016 Sun All Day

Pak Navy allocates Special Marine Battalion at Gwadar port -- Business Standard With the development of the deep sea port at Gwadar, the Pakistan Navy is anticipating fresh security challenges.

It has thus allocated a Special Marine Battalion at the port for surveillance. These marines will safeguard sea links used for communication and provide protection to trade ships routing in and out of the port in the near future.

Trade is expected to spring up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, reports the Dawn.

The battalion is an addition to the existing troops securing the coastlines of Karachi Harbour and Sir Creek areas.

Most of the Indian Ocean, including Pakistan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), was declared a high-risk area of piracy.

Moreover, owing to the hostility between India and Pakistan, Pakistan Navy has plans on maintaining a 1:5 power balance with its arch rival.

1755

March 10, 2016 Thu All Day

Chinese ambassador for more Pak-China joint ventures -- APP

All Day

Chinese economy and dynamic CPEC -- BR

Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) opened ‘China Week’ on its premises on Wednesday with the aim to further boost country’s economic ties with China.

Chinese Ambassador HE Sun Weidong inaugurated the week in an ornamented ribbon cutting ceremony. Chairman Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed also accompanied the Chinese envoy.

RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez, Senior Vice President Saqib Rafiq, Vice President Muhammad Aqil Obaid, Group Leader Sheikh Shabbir, SM Naseem, former presidents, members of the executive committee and other industrialists, traders and businessmen were present on the occasion.

Different local as well as Chinese companies have established their stalls at the exhibition, displaying cars, motorcycles, leather products, garments and other items. School children presented colorful performances depicting Chinese and Pakistani culture and music. The whole building was decorated in Chinese national color and a small picture gallery reflecting Chinese culture and art was also displayed on the occasion.

While inaugurating the week, Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan and China enjoyed best mutual, trade, bilateral, social and cultural relations. The government of China and its people has always shown a great affection, love and brotherhood towards Pakistan and its people. “Chinese businessmen always prefer to invest in Pakistan,” he said. The ambassador also praised the RCCI for organizing China Week and offered cooperation in arranging such programmes in future.

China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and Pakistan is China’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. The trade volume between the two countries has jumped up to approximately 19 billion dollars. 46 billion dollar CPEC is the key project and this shows how much importance China is giving to Pakistan. He said that this year we are going to celebrate 65th anniversary of our diplomatic ties with Pakistan and lot of activities are going on. He invited RCCI President and others to join these events. He ended his address by saying: “PAK CHEEN DOSTI ZINDA BAD” in Urdu. Later, the ambassador visited various stalls and stressed the importance of Pak-China joint ventures.

President RCCI Mian Humayun Parvez said China is Pakistan’s time tested friend.

He said that RCCI will hold industrial exhibitions in different countries including China aimed at further promoting the trade relations. He informed that the trade volume between both the neighboring countries has increased to a considerable level however there is a need to increase exports. “We must explore new areas of opportunities. Gem and jewelry, marble, poultry, pharma and information technology can bring a lot of investment in Pakistan.”

Earlier, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed in his address said that Pakistan and China shared a great history of brotherly and time tested relations. He referred to CPEC project and said that this single project will change whole picture of Pakistan’s economy and will set up future economic direction. This project will strengthen the federation as all provinces and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will benefit from it. “This corridor will benefit all provinces and areas in Pakistan, and transform our country into a regional hub and pivot for commerce and investment”, he added.

The 2015 witnessed a slow global economic recovery while most major economies are suffering the slump in growth. Global trading has been facing the most serious downward pressure since Financial Crisis as well. Under such a circumstance, the economic and trade performance of China become more outstanding. Besides, as one important part of bilateral economic and trade relationship between Pakistan and China, CPEC attracts much attention all over the world.

China remains a major driving force for global growth The domestic and international situation China faced with was extremely complex and severe in 2015.

Overall, with the progress in stability, the domestic economy and commerce works keeps the medium-to-high speed of growth and has achieved hard-won fruits with all performance indicators ranking forefront in the world. China GDP growth fell 0.4 percentage points to 6.9%, which remained relatively higher than many other major 1756

March 10, 2016 Continued Thu economies. China's import and export trade in goods and export value have ranked the top one in the world since 2013, and the year 2015 is not an exception. The value of online retail sales maintained the first place of the world, the total value in retail sales of consumer goods and the import and export volume in service trade stably ranked the second place in the world, foreign investment has ranked the top one among developing countries for 24 consecutive years and the investment abroad ranked the third one in the world.

There are many highlights in China's economic growth. According to a World Bank report, China's economic growth contribution to the world increased 0.8 percentage points to 26.1%. In terms of import and export, with the double-digit negative growth in global trade last year, the decrease of China fell far below the decrease of other major economies and global trade. China's share in global trade is expected to increase by a percentage point from 12.2% to over 13%. In 2015, China's global share enhanced the fastest; in terms of international investment, the foreign direct investment (non-financial sectors) in last year, reached 118.02 billion US dollars, an increase of 14.7%, which remains the rapid growth of consecutive years; in terms of attracting foreign investment, actual use of foreign investment is 126.27 billion US dollars, an increase of 5.6%, and China still ranks the top one among developing countries. Consumption's contribution to the social and economic growth has reached 66.4%, with an increase of 15.4% over 2014. That is to say, China has successfully achieved the vital transformation of economic development from investment and foreign trade based to domestic demand, especially consumption based.

"Belt and road initiative" has made positive progress "Belt and Road Initiative" is China's top-level design of the opening and economic diplomacy in the new era and China's suggestion and scheme on the cooperation development and common prosperity in the new era. Chinese President Xi actually proposed such a major cooperation initiative to promote peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and benefits under the "Silk Road" symbol. With respect to the implementation of the "Belt and Road Initiative", it does not delineate the boundaries by ideology, development path, development model and development level or other standards, but intends for mutual benefit and win-win through exchanges and cooperation in policy, trade, currency, infrastructure, cultural and other aspects based on the principles of broad consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. At present, more than 60 countries have given positive responses and some countries carried out strategic docking with China, and put forward specific ideas of cooperation. Just as mentioned by President Xi in his speech, The "Belt and Road" is not China's solo, but the mixed chorus of all related countries.

The implementation of "Belt and Road Initiative" achieved success in many countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Belarus, Thailand, Egypt, Kenya and so on.

China has established 75 overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in the world, which has created a large number of tax and employment for the host country. According to statistics, various overseas Chinese funded enterprises have paid taxes of more than 100 billion US dollars to the country in which they have invested; by the end of 2015, overseas Chinese funded enterprises have nearly employed 900,000 foreign employees.

CPEC will substantially promote economic and trade ties between the two countriesPakistan and China elevated their ties to all-weather strategic partnership in April 2015 after the Chinese president Xi's historic visit to Pakistan, which further enhanced the long time-tested friendship between the two countries. As one important part of "Belt and Road initiative", China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will not only strengthen the economic and trade ties between both nations, but will also promote the common prosperity and development for the whole region.

According to the statistics of Economic and Commercial Office of Consulate General of P.R. China in Karachi, the overall on-going and planned Pak-China related projects in both Sindh and Balochistan provinces reached 27, worth more than 12 billion US dollars, covering sectors such as power generation, resource development, roads, transmission lines, ports and so on, including Qasim coal-fired Power Plant, Dawood Wind Power Project, Thar Coal-Mining Power Plant, Gwadar 1757

March 10, 2016 Continued Thu Port etc. According to related companies, Dawood Wind Power Project will be done in this September; Qasim Coal-firing Power Plant is expected to be completed within the next two years.

CPEC injects new vitality to Pakistan's economic growth. It will stimulate local industries like steel, cement, construction, logistic, travelling, security etc. According to local analysts' estimate, the start of mega development schemes and power projects under the CPEC will boost the annual demand for steel products by more than 30% to 6 million tons from 4 million tons. Besides, Pakistan &Gulf Economist expects that Cement sales in FY2016 will increase 3.5% compared to last year, reaching 36.7 million tons, domestic sales will increase 11.4%, reaching 31.5 million tons. CPEC is also a major attraction for domestic investors and international capitals that see it as catalyst for Pakistan. The huge investment from China has made Pakistan one of the central economic activists all over the world, which is also a major attraction for large foreign capitals. Moreover, CPEC accelerates the industrial promotion of Pakistan and brings more advanced equipment and techniques through industrial shift and capacity cooperation.

CPEC benefits local residents in a more realistic way. On the one hand, Chinese enterprises bring more job opportunities to the local people and offer chances for them to get more skilled education, which improves the local living standards. On the other hand, Chinese enterprises built public facilities aiming at improving people's well-being in the project region. Take MCC Sandak Copper-Gold Mine Project as an example, the Chinese company improved public infrastructures like irrigation systems, power plants as well as roads, which largely promoted the local livelihood.

We are fully confident that, based on the principle of broad consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the economic and trade ties between Pakistan and China will be further strengthened, and the future of Pak-China relationship is broad and bright.

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March 12, 2016 Sat All Day

Will move cargo from China to Gwadar this year, says army chief -- Daily Times GWADAR – Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said that officials concerned will move the cargo from China to Gwadar this year, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Addressing a seminar here, the army chief said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a reflection of the friendship between the two countries.

1759

March 14, 2016 Mon All Day

CHINA’S 5-YEAR PLAN GOOD HOPE FOR PAK ECONOMY -- Pak Observer

Beijing—China 13th five-year plan that is expected to be approved by the on-going session of National Peoples Congress brings good hopes for Pakistan’s economy as well as its far-reaching impact on China’s own domestic growth. According to the five-year target, the economy will grow around 6.5 percent every year. “The plan will decisively overhaul, modernize and strengthen China’s growth engine, laying stable foundations for further growth,” said Amanullah Khan, chairman of the PakistanChina Business and Investment Promotion Committee. “We in Pakistan see the plan as a positive development for the socio-economic well-being of their peoples.”

The people of Pakistan wished to see China ever-growing, since it is a source of peace and development for its neighboring countries as well and the World as a whole. Analysts said, China’s 13th Five-Year Plan concerns more than just its own domestic affairs. The world should sit up and pay attention: it will have a global impact.

“China has been the powerhouse of the world for decades. In the next five years, ballooning domestic demand, investment and buying power will further vitalize the global economy,” said Chen Fengying, world economy researcher with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. As China steers itself toward quality development in the next five years, a critical period of transition, the world should cast their eyes east, said Chen. The draft of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), outlines policies, priorities, as well as clear economic and social targets.

“Such clear goals will serve as assurance to foreign entities as it will paint a clear picture of what measures will be taken,” she said. Innovation, growth Cui Jicheng, 53, is a oceanologist. By 2019, he plans to take a manned deep-sea submersible 10,000 meters down to the Mariana Trench. Deep-sea exploration is one of the principle projects under the Scientific Innovation 2030 initiative, outlined in the plan.

According to the draft, by 2020, China’s R&D investment will account for 2.5 percent of GDP. The contribution of scientific and technological advances to economic growth will rise to 60 percent. Investment into semiconductors, chip materials, robotics, aviation equipment and satellites, also aim to facilitate scientific advances. “China already leads in the fields of Internet, new energy and AI. It will be an important player in the new round of scientific revolution and reform. In the next five years, expect more surprises from China,” Chen said. Statistics show China will import $10 trillion of commodities in the next five years. It will make $500 billion of investment. Chinese are expected to make 500 million trips abroad.—INP

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March 16, 2016 Wed All Day

CASA-1000 PROJECT TO FURTHER BOOST PAK-TAJIK TIES: PRESIDENT -- AP

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday said that CASA-1000 project would be a milestone in boosting bilateral relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

He said Pakistan was looking forward to the opening ceremony of the CASA-1000 project in May 2016.

He also noted with appreciation that a committee had been formed to prepare preliminary report for additional 1000-1200 MW electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan outside CASA-1000.

He was talking to the Tajikistan Parliamentary delegation headed by Chairman Majlisi Namoyandagon of Tajikistan Zuhurov Shukurjon that called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, said a press release.

The President said that exchange of parliamentary, business and cultural delegations would further solidify relations between the two countries and increase people to people contact.

He called for making concerted efforts for further enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries commensurate to their potential and increase the volume of bilateral trade to US $500 million as already agreed upon by the two countries.

President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoyed excellent relations which were deeply rooted in common history, religion and culture.

He said that the two brotherly countries needed to enhance their cooperation in the defence sector and suggested that the Tajik military officers might avail training facilities in Pakistan.

The President said that Pakistan was the worst victim of terrorism and extremism and had rendered great sacrifices in fighting this menace.

He said that operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue till elimination of all terrorists.

President Mamnoon Hussain urged for unity and cooperation amongst the Muslim countries for collective efforts to remove misperceptions about the Muslims in the West and to project the Muslims as a peace loving and enlightened people.

He stressed that peace in Afghanistan was necessary for peace, security and stability in Pakistan and the region.

President Mamnoon said that Pakistan was trying its utmost to facilitate reconciliation in Afghanistan through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States.

He said that Pakistan was sincerely pursuing the vision of a peaceful neighbourhood and desired to have friendly relations with all its neighbours including India.

The President emphasized that resolution of the Kashmir issue was essential for improvement in ties with India.

Chairman Majlisi Namoyandagon of Tajikistan Zuhurov Shukurjon thanked the President for the warm welcome and hospitality extended during their visit to Pakistan and hoped that bilateral ties would reach new heights through mutual cooperation.

The Chairman Majlisi Namoyandagon expressed his country's keen desire for linkages with China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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March 16, 2016 Continued Wed He said that projects were already underway for rail and road connectivity with the CPEC. Zuhurov Shukurjon extended an invitation on behalf of the President of Tajikistan to President Mamnoon Hussain to visit Tajikistan at his earliest convenience.

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March 17, 2016 Thu All Day

PM INVITES CAR TO USE GWADAR PORT -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited Turkmenistan and other Central Asian Republics (CAR) to use Pakistan’s deep sea port of Gwadar for trade with other countries.

He was addressing a joint press conference along with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov after delegation level talks in Islamabad on Wednesday.

“Our deep sea port provides shortest route to the Arabian Sea to the Turkmenistan and other Central Asian Republics and we will happy to see our brothers there using this facility”, Nawaz Sharif said.

The Prime Minister said regional connectivity is part of Pakistan’s vision 2025 under which the country will be made hub of regional trade. Pakistan is also closely working with Turkmenistan for improvement of basic infrastructure to enhance economic relations as well as tourism and people to people contacts.

Referring to the TAPI gas pipeline project, the prime minister said this is a mega project which will help energy starved industry of Pakistan run at its full potential.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan will also import one thousand megawatt of electricity from Turkmenistan and the MOU in this regard was signed during his visit to the country last year. He said we have agreed to undertake this project on fast track basis. This will help us in reducing power deficit.

Nawaz Sharif said the energy projects fill facilitate regional connectivity and contribute to peace and security by creating inter dependence in the region.

The two sides during talks agreed to further bolster their relations in different fields including economy, trade, culture and education. Nawaz Sharif said both the countries enjoy close cordial relations deep rooted in shared history, faith and culture and these bonds are growing with the passage of time. Nawaz Sharif said the meeting of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Business Forum on the sidelines of delegation level talks will help facilitate bilateral trade and investment. Such high level contacts will help in boosting our economic relations.

In his remarks on the occasion, the Turkmen President termed his talks with the prime minister as fruitful and productive saying these will further strengthen our brotherly relations. He said the people of Turkmenistan follow with great interests the achievements made by the Pakistan and we wish the country make more progress in days to come.

The Turkmen President said the TAPI gas pipeline project will be implemented at the earliest as it will not only contribute to socio economic development but also serve a bridge for building friendly relations amongst the regional countries.

The two countries signed a series of MOUs and agreements for promotion of cooperation in various fields. The foreign affairs ministries of two countries signed the document for future cooperation. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his Turkmen counterpart signed an MOU for cooperation against money laundering and terror financing. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and his Turkmen counterpart signed an MOU for further cooperation in the energy sector. Five MOUs were also signed for cooperation in higher education, research and information technology.

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March 19, 2016 Sat All Day

Pak-China Business Forum from 19th -- APP

LAHORE - The ministry of science and technology is organizing the 5th Pak-China Business Forum 2016 from March 19 to 22 at Expo Centre Lahore.

COMSATS University director Qaisar Abbas, while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, said that more than 400 foreign companies will exhibit their products at the forthcoming event.

He said that the forum will bring the foreign investors together in the country where business to business meetings will also be arranged.

In the Pak China Expo, students of various Pakistani universities will also share their projects with the foreign companies.

It would be the event to explore business for our students, he added.

He said that the event will be held in collaboration with Ministry of Science & Technology, Punjab Board of Investment and Trade and NTS. These partners are offering their tremendous support for this event.

Most importantly, 5th Pak china Forum will again welcome a delegation comprised of more than seven hundred Chinese guest this year.

Exhibitors’ logistics are arriving in Pakistan to participate in 5th Pak-China Business Forum (PCBF).

Sources have confirmed that event would be inaugurated by Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif and Federal Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology & Chancellor, CIIT, Rana Tanveer, Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) and Ministers, industries experts and other dignitaries will attend the event.

PCBF was established by the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), a leading public sector, federally chartered, Degree Awarding Institute, in 2012 as a part of its efforts towards the socio-economic development of the country by strengthening academia-industry linkages as well as focusing on research, innovation and commercialization.

All Day

Shahbaz Sharif inaugurates 5th Pak-China Business Forum 2016 -- APP

LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday inaugurated the 5th Pak-China Business Forum 2016 at the Expo Center in Lahore.

The business forum will continue for four days and is expected to attract 700 representatives of more than 400 Chinese and 150 Pakistani companies.

The business forum is being held with the cooperation of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT). Other partners include Ministry of Science & Technology, Punjab Board of Investment & Trade and National Testing Service (NTS).

The major objectives of the Pak-China business forum were to increase foreign direct investment into Pakistan, improve export opportunities to China, develop stronger B2B (business-to-business) relations with Chinese business and enhance economic activity in the country by strengthening academia and industry alliance.

The forum provides a unique opportunity for Conglomerates, SMEs, R&D Institutions, Organizations from the Financial and Services sectors to collaborate with more than 200 participating Chinese companies from the following sectors; ICT and Electronic, Engineering and Manufacturing, Energy Resources/Solar/Renewable Energy, Associations/Chambers, Textile, Furniture and Decoration, Tourism, Automotives, Trading and Logistics, Chemicals, Medical and Pharmacy, Banking and Investment, Food Industry, Education and Research.

The event includes an exhibition to display products, business-to-business meetings as well as thematic workshops for scholarly work.

1764

March 20, 2016 Sun All Day

CHINA PROVIDED FULL ASSISTANCE TO TRANSPORT, ENERGY PROJECTS: SHEHBAZ -- Pak Observer

Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that China has provided full assistance and cooperation to transport projects, improvement of infrastructure, energy projects and process of mining in Punjab.

He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural function of 5th Pak-China Business Forum at Expo Centre, here. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, 700 delegates of various Chinese companies, Chief Executive Officers of business houses and companies, senior officials and a large number of Pakistani investors attended the function. The forum was arranged with the cooperation of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistani nation can never forget huge investment of a great friend, unconditional support and cooperation of China in the development of various sectors of Pakistan. He said that 11 months ago, agreements on the projects under CPEC were signed during the visit of Chinese President to Pakistan in April last year and work was started on these projects in September. He said that such friendship is unprecedented.

Shehbaz Sharif said that holding of Pak-China Business Forum is a welcome step due to which process of contacts between people and traders of both of the countries will strengthen.

He said that Pak-China friendship has become an example in the world. He said that participation of businessmen in such a large number from China is a clear proof of strengthening friendship. No doubt, Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalaya, deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel, he added. Chinese President openly said that we are iron brothers and he has also proved by extending unconditional support to Pakistan.

He said that reserves of iron ore have been discovered in Chiniot and Chinese company MCC has taken part in exploration of these reserves and completed this task. He said that according to initial verification of reserves of iron ores in Chiniot, there are also some spots of gold and copper. He said that a final report will soon come fore and a plan can be made for setting up a steel mill.

He said that Chinese companies can make investment under public-private partnership and this is best opportunity for them. He said that Chinese government has provided funds through Exim Bank for orange line metro train on very soft terms. He said that there is no such country except China in the world which can provide funds on such soft terms. Shehbaz Sharif said that besides coal, solar, wind and hydel power projects, communication, transport and infrastructure projects are also being set up under China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said that 2.8 billion dollars investment is being made on 1320 megawatt coal power project at Sahiwal whereas 1320 megawatt coal power plant is also being set up at Port Qasim with the same cost. He said that China has also invested in 900 megawatt solar power project in Bahawalpur.

He said that under CPEC, China is making 100 percent investment in energy and other projects and the management in the projects is of China and Pakistani government is only ensuring implementation of these projects, therefore, question of transparency and non-transparency in these projects does not arise.

He said that there is no need of tendering in G to G projects but Punjab government has completed the process of tendering in this project and this has happened first time in the history of the country.

Federal Minister for Science & Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain addressing the Forum said that under Pak-China Business Forum, contacts between businessmen of both the countries are increasing.

Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said that the leadership of both the countries is interested in strengthening economic cooperation. He said that Pak-China economic cooperation is increasing due to implementation of the projects under CPEC. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is serving people of the province in an excellent manner.

He said that completion of development projects is being ensured through transparency, quality and speed. He said that a strong leadership like Shehbaz Sharif has become available to Punjab and due to his steps, economy of the province is improving. Representatives of Chinese companies expressing their views said that increasing economic cooperation of Pakistan and China is useful for people of both the countries. Chairman Organizing Committee Prof. Qaiser Abbas 1765

March 20, 2016 Continued Sun threw light on the aims and objectives of Pak-China Business Forum. Federal Minister for Science & Technology Rana Tanvir Hussain presented souvenir to Shehbaz Sharif.

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March 23, 2016 Wed All Day

4-day Pak-China Business Forum concludes -- APP

The four-day 5th Pak-China Business Forum-2016 concluded Tuesday; over 700 representatives of Chinese and Pakistani companies participated in the forum.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Pak-China Business Forum at Expo Center Lahore on March 19. The event was held in collaboration with the COMSATS University, while the Punjab government and the relevant institutions provided support to the organisers, the Chinese and local traders and businessmen.

The forum was the biggest Pak-China business forum to date with participation of over 700 delegates from 400 Chinese and 300 Pakistani companies. The forum consisted of stalls of Chinese companies in various sectors. It offered an opportunity for Pakistani businessmen to meet their Chinese counterparts.

Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) also actively participated in the forum by setting up a stall where the Board’s experts briefed the visiting Chinese investors about investment opportunities in Punjab. The PBIT team arranged B2B (Business to Business) meetings, and meetings with various governmental organisations on behalf of numerous Chinese companies at the Forum.

National Logistic Cell (NLC) also set up a stall at the Pak-China Business Forum, where more than 20 Chinese companies held meetings with the NLC officials on issues related to logistics. During their meetings, both sides agreed to proceed further on the initial understanding and to implement mutually beneficial agreements.

Pak-China Business Forum aims to increase bilateral trade with China and help introduce middle and small sized Pakistani businessmen with their Chinese counterparts. This forum falls under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

All Day

Development ties: Chinese delegation visits Gwadar -- Express Tribune

QUETTA: The Chairman of Zhuhai Port Holding Group has said that China is interested in investing in various fields in Gwadar which would further cement the long-standing relations of China and Pakistan. He expressed these views during a visit of nine-member Chinese delegation to Gwadar here on Tuesday. He said that under ‘sister city relationship’ China would help Pakistan in investment in civil and other sectors. Chairman Gwadar Authority Dostain Khan Jamali and Director General Gwader Development Authority Sajjad Baloch briefed the delegation about the master plan of the Gwader port, Economic Corridor, Gwadar Free Industrial Zone, Gwader Expressway and other projects. He said that the cooperation would be increased between Gwadar and Zhuhai Port under sister city relationship accord. A Chinese company has already begun the survey for Gwadar International Airport which would be stretched over 4,800 acres.

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March 25, 2016 Fri All Day

GOVT KEEN TO COMPLETE IRAN-PAKISTAN GAS PIPELINE: MIFTAH -- APP

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) and Minister of State Dr Miftah Ismail on Friday said that Pakistan was keen to complete Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline (IP) and in this regard, the government was engaged in negotiation with a Chinese company for building of a 200- kilometer Nawabshah to Gwadar gas pipeline.

He was talking to media after attending Pakistan-Iran Business Forum here at a local hotel.

He said that the project of the gas pipeline from Nawabsah to Gwadar was likely to be completed within two years while the remaining 70 kilometer part of gas pipeline from Gwadar to the Iranian border would be completed within few months in the second phase.

The BOI Chairman said that after the completion of the IP Gas Pipeline, 250 million cubic feet gas would be imported from Iran during first year, while in the second year the import of gas would be enhanced to 500 million cubic feet while int the third year 750 million cubic feet gas would be imported.

Replying to a question, Miftah Ismail said that currently Iran and Pakistan had no formal trade but after the visit of the Iranian President,Hassan Rouhani along with high profile business delegation, the bilateral trade was likely to be initiated formally.

He said Pakistan would export textile, pharmaceutical products, value added agricultural and dairy products while Iran was interested to send petrochemical products, gas, steel and paper products.

1768

March 27, 2016 Sun All Day

Gwadar, Chabahar ports to link Pakistan, Iran with Central Asia

ISLAMABAD – President of Iran Dr Hassan Rouhani on Saturday said that wider connectivity between Gwadar and Chabahar ports would link Pakistan and Iran with the Central Asian countries.

Addressing a press conference here at the conclusion of his two-day official visit, he said more road and rail networks between the neighbouring countries would spur immense trade and business activities, resultantly leading to progress and prosperity in the whole region.

He viewed the development of Gwadar port vital for linkage with the countries up to Central Asia, besides referring to the Chabahar port as significant one in the region.

He expressed his country's strong desire for intensified relations and cooperation with Pakistan in all spheres, including trade, economy, energy, education, science and technology.

President Rouhani described his visit and meetings with the Pakistani leadership as very constructive and fruitful. During the meetings, he said, the two sides held wide ranging discussions for cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and energy as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

About Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, Rouhani said Iran had almost completed the work on its side of borderon the pipeline and would be in a position to provide gas toPakistan in a few months. It was now up to Pakistan to initiate work on its side, he added. He said Iran could meet all the energy needs of Pakistan.

The country was already selling 1,000 MW of electricity to Pakistan, which could be increased up to 3,000 MW. Rouhani said Iran was also interested to have connectivity between Gawadar and Chahbahar seaports through roads and shipping lines for a win-win situation to both the countries. To a question about the relations between Iran and India, he said, "Whenever Iran comes closer to Pakistan such rumours are spread."

Rouhani said Iran was the first country that recognized Pakistan after the latter’s independence in 1947. He also mentioned the decision made by the two countries during his visit of opening two more border crossings, which he said, would help promote trade and people-to-people contacts. About the Afghan peace process, he said both Pakistan and Iran had always held consultations and collaborated on the issue.

"During my talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, we have specifically talked about the issue," he said, adding that his country fully agreed to a proposal by the Pakistani side for holding trilateral talks among Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. He stressed that peace and security was vital for Afghanistan and Iran was ready to do whatever it could to help bring peace and stability there.

The Iranian president said that Pakistan and Iran were playing their parts to resolvethe Afghan issue through bilateral and trilateral consultations. About IranSaudi tensions, he said that Iran was not interested in any tensions as it was a peace-loving country. Different Muslim countries, including Pakistan, had offered to resolve the issue, he added.

Rouhani stressed that any problem among the Muslim countries should be resolved as the Muslim world required peace, progress and prosperity. To another question, he said Pakistan and Iran had agreed for steps for more secure common borders, which would also help increase bilateral trade through setting up border market places.

Brushing aside reports about Pak-Iran ties, he termed them mere rumours, which were created whenever both countries came closer. "We are like-minded."

Responding to a query, the Iranian president maintained that regional issues could not be resolved militarily and referred to Iran's nuclear deal with the world powers as an indication of peaceful tactics to sort out differences.

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March 27, 2016 Continued Sun He said he had also talked with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the issues confronted by the Muslim world. He said that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should be an effective platform for bringing closeness, unity and cooperation among the Muslim world.

About Syrian ceasefire, Dr Rouhani expressed the hope that it would hold the ground, paving way for restoration of peace between the government and opposition. He urged all the parties to play their role to resolve the Syrian issue through peace.

All Day

Special Chinese children perform in Alhamra -- Observer

Lahore—A group of special children from China performed in the Alhamra Arts Council here on Saturday to pay tribute to Pak-China friendship.

The group sang national songs like Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan and its name is Beijing Orchestra. The programme was arranged by the Lahore Arts Council and National Arts Council of Pakistan.—PP

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March 28, 2016 Mon All Day

Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG project part of CPEC -- Observer

Islamabad - Gwadar-Nawabshah Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal and Pipeline Project is part of China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), official documents have revealed.Interestingly, a federal minister has recently told the Parliamentary Committee on Petroleum that no RLNG terminal/pipeline project is part of the CPEC. It seems there is a communication gap between the Ministry of Planning and other ministries, as the Federal minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources had last week told Senate’s Standing Committee that GwadarNawabshah LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project was not part of the CPEC.Documents, related to the progress on CPEC projects, available with The Nation, have clearly shown Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project as part of the CPEC.According to the documents, negotiations for a commercial contract with China over Petroleum Pipeline Bureau are in progress.In a presentation given to the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on CPEC last month, it was informed that there was one project of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, listed among the CPEC projects, and that was Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG Terminal and Pipeline project. The minister was also informed that detailed site survey of the LNG terminal had already been conducted by CPP.“Two conclusions can be drawn from the petroleum minister's statement that he made in front of a parliamentary committee: either the minister is completely unaware of the CPEC projects or the government is intentionally trying to hide the truth,” an official source said.Take the case of Orange Line Train project, which was first shown as part of the CPEC, but now the government has changed its stance which now says it is not related to the CPEC.Under the RLNG project plan, a terminal will be set up at Gwadar port and 700km long RLNG pipeline will be laid from Gwadar to Nawabshah. A Chinese firm will build new terminal – a floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU). The terminal will have the capacity to handle imports of 500 million cubic feet of LNG per day (mmcfd).The LNG pipeline, which will be of 42-inch diameter, will be laid from Gwadar to Nawabshah. The Chinese government would provide 85 percent funds of the project, while Pakistan would contribute 15 percent of funds.This project will work as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project and after the completion of GwadarNawabshah pipeline, only about 70km of pipeline segment between Gwadar and Iranian border would be left which could be constructed at the cost of $200 million to connect to the border.The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has already approved construction of 700km Gwadar-Nawabshah pipeline to transport ReLiquefied Natural Gas (RLNG).“The secretive behaviour of the federal government is making this vital national project controversial,” the official said, adding the government should come forward and show the official documents of what comes under the CPEC.

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March 29, 2016 Tue All Day

Maiden MoU singed for expanding co-op between Pak, Chinese textile firms -- The Nations

LAHORE - The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) and China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote and expand cooperation between Pakistan and Chinese textile and apparel companies.

The MoU signing ceremony was held during China Asia Textile Forum 2016 at Shanghai.

PRGMEA chief coordinator Ijaz Khokhar inked the MoU on behalf of Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association while China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel was represented by its chairman Jiang Hui. Ijaz Khokhar, who was the guest speaker from Pakistan side, also made presentation on Pakistan’ textile and apparel sector in China Asia Textile Forum.

The forum was attended by major apparel associations and many leading Chinese garment companies from the whole Asia.

It is the first time that a Pakistani garment sector body signed such an agreement with the overseas stakeholders for strengthening mutual trade of garment and textile.

As per the MoU, PRGMEA will provide visa assistance to Chinese companies through invitation letters.

In first phase, CCCT delegation is visiting Pakistan to attend Texpo Fair being held first time in Pakistan from April 7 to 10.

PRGMEA will arrange factory visits for Chinese delegation, and B2B meetings with its members.

PRGMEA also plans to arrange a trade delegation to visit China by the end of this year.

It is expected that Chinese companies will establish their units at CPEC Economic zones through joint ventures of the local companies, with PRGMEA playing leading role after striking this deal with CCCT. PRGMEA and CCCT have also agreed to deal with managing business contacts, seminars, business meetings, presentations, exhibitions, fairs holdings and other arrangements to make potential partners and export possibilities available in the two countries.

PRGMEA and CCCT will assist each other in small and medium size business development, provide technical assistance, search for partners for trade and joint ventures, as well as render other services of interest for business entities of the both parties.

In his presentation, PRGMEA chief coordinator Ijaz Khokhar highlighted the overall situation and development trend of Pakistan’s garment sector and textile industry.

He said that CCCT as part of the Ministry of Commerce is the largest textile and apparel trade agency both in China and the world.

CCCT member companies, totaling more than 12,000 and operating in 34 provinces across the country, engage in the production and export and import of textile fibers, yarns, fabrics, clothing, home textiles, industrial textiles and accessories.

Its member companies comprise the majority of Chinese textile and apparel enterprises incorporating export and import enterprises, the trade volume of which accounts for 70% of the total export and import volume of Chinese textile and apparel industry as a whole.

Ijaz Khokhar said that China is not a traditional market and have a lot of opportunities for Pakistani merchandise.

He said that MoU between the PRGMEA and CCCT would go a long way and help Pakistani value-added garments goods to find their way in Chinese market.

He said that ample opportunities exist in value-added textile sector of Pakistan and now it is the duty of the policy makers to help the garment industry make this MoU meaningful.

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March 31, 2016 Thu All Day

Pak-China to build interconnection grid for electricity -- Daily Pakistan ISLAMABAD (Online) – The Ministry of Water and Power and State Grid Corporation of China are working to build an Interconnection Grid for electricity Between Pakistan and China which will mutually benefit both the countries by utilizing each other energy potential.

This was stated by Secretary Ministry of Water and Power, Muhammad Younus Dagha in Beijing at the occasion of Global Energy Interconnection Conference where more than 700 delegates are participating.

The Secretary Ministry of Water and Power said that the building of an Interconnection Grid between Pakistan and China will allow Pakistan to meet its energy demands when there are requirements.

It will also benefit China to benefit from the potential of clean energy in Pakistan, especially hydroelectricity on the Indus River cascade lying all along the route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he added.

Younus Dagha said that Pakistan is very much positioned to become energy corridor for the region and facilitate the exchange and optimize use of clean energy available in the region of South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East and China.

He said that Pakistan can play an active role in the Global Energy Interconnection.

While apprising about CASA-1000 project, Dagha said that Pakistan has a unique geographical position, strategically located at the confluence of South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East and China. We are aware of the opportunity offered by our geographical location. Working on it since past many years, we succeeded in signing an agreement on Central Asia South Asia transmission line, known as CASA-1000, with Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Afghanistan to build a 1400 km long HVDC transmission line which will bring 1300 MWs of clean power to Pakistan.

We already have Grid interconnection with Iran and plan to further enhance it. We are also working with South Asian countries to bring interconnectivity within South Asia. We have found a lot of interest in CASA-1000 in the countries of the region such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia.

The Secretary Ministry of Water and Power said that Pakistan has the potential and is fast becoming an energy surplus from an energy deficit country in the next three years due to the volume of energy projects initiated by the Government.

He said that when His Excellency President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan in April 2015, we initiated work on 10,400 MWs of new power generation and 660 HVDC Transmission Line with the State Grid.

He congratulated the four countries who through a Memorandum of Understanding yesterday during this Conference signed their commitment to work on Global interconnectivity.

He said that the four countries signing MOU represent more than 70% of Asia’s power demands. They however, need to tap the unutilized resources of clean energy lying in the neighborhood of the proposed Global Grid, in those countries which might not have developed that much demand. Pakistan can be one of those countries, he stressed.

Although at present, Pakistan might be facing a deficit of transformed energy, especially power, but has a sizeable potential in terms of its untapped energy resources. Such untapped resources have a large share of clean energy, apart from fossil fuels.

While we hope to become self-sufficient in Power generation in 2018, we will still be left with an untapped potential of more than 60,000 MWs of Hydroelectricity Power, most of which lies right across the Pakistan-China border; also an untapped 1773

March 31, 2016 Continued Thu potential of more than 90,000 MWs of Wind Power in our South and an unlimited potential of Solar power all across the 850,000 sq km of its area, with almost 300 days of bright sunshine.

At present Pakistan Produces more than 40% of its electricity from non-fossil sources, mainly Hydro-electricity. In the coming days, working closely with international players, we hope to explore the possibility of further advancement towards Sustainable energy.

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April 3, 2016 Sun All Day

Pak-China links: Logistics complex construction to facilitate trade -- The Express Tribune KARACHI: Construction on a logistics complex that will deepen bilateral trade between China and Pakistan began in Tashkurghan Tajik Autonomous County in Xinjiang on Friday.

According to the local government, the project covers an area of about 58 hectares southwest to the county and will use up a total investment of 3 billion yuan ($464 million). The first stage of the three-stage project includes an Internet service administration centre, a cross-border ecommerce enterprise incubator, and a modern warehousing and logistic centre.

In the meantime, a comprehensive transportation system, especially for crossborder cold-chain logistics, will be further developed. RMB settlement will be introduced as well, reports China official news agency – Xinhua. Further stages will see the completion of a commodity exhibition centre, manufacturing and assembly factories, hotels, entertainment facilities and vehicle maintenance station.

All Day

Sino-Pak trade likely to increase by 24 percent -- BR

Trade between Pakistan and China is likely to increase by 24 percent after completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects especially relating to energy and infrastructure, it is learnt. According to the sources, CPEC would play a significant role in making Pakistan one of the most attractive transit trade routes in the world as the route would open immense trade opportunities for Pakistan with other regional countries as well.

Sources added that that trade route, in future, could link central Asia via Afghanistan, and gave the Central Asian countries an easier access of sea route to Far East and Australia. Most of CPEC projects relating to energy, Gwadar Port and infrastructure would be completed by end-2018 and the $46 billion corridor projects envisage construction of infrastructure projects such as motorways, expressways and rail lines to bolster connectivity. Various power projects would also be established to help Pakistan meet its growing energy requirements.

The sources said Pakistan was also discussing Industrial Economic Zones with China which would be established along side the route of CPEC. They said a meeting of Economic Zones Joint Working Group (EZJWG) of Pakistan and China was going to hold next week of that month to discuss the matter relating to establishment of industrial zones. According to documents available with Business Recorder, the economic zones would target various sectors including food, pharmaceutical, engineering, fruit/food packing for exports, textile value addition, marble industry, minerals and cutting and polishing, industries of mosaic furniture, construction of material vendors, herbal medicine and agriculture implements etc.

The Karak Special Economic Zone is also under design which would target oil and gas sector. This industry would refine 100,000 barrels of oil per day while approximate $5 billion investment is expected. Federal government has proposed to establish 1000MW gas based power house for this sector.

The sources said the industrial zone would require energy at a time when the country was already facing shortfall of power. However, the government has launched many projects of energy under CPEC to meet the power shortfall. Source further said that China would also benefit from that economic corridor, which would greatly reduce China's trade route from 12,000 kilometres via sea, to 2,000 kilometres via land ie from Kashgar to Gwadar.

In future, the sources said China could also use Gwadar to build a naval base which would increase influence of China in the region. At present 40 percent of the world's oil is extracted from the Gulf region and its transportation is through the Persian Gulf and it is expected that all the oil shipments from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries will be shipped via Pakistan to China.

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April 3, 2016 Continued Sun According to media reports, Ambassador of Tajikistan Sherali Saidamir Jononove had said his country would benefit from that opportunity and would become a partner in CPEC. The Ambassador also said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would participate in the transmission line laying ceremony of CASA-1000 electricity project in Tajikistan in May next month. Tajikistan will export more than 1000MW hydel electricity to Pakistan under the project.

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April 4, 2016 Mon All Day

China-US alliance will have positive impact on Pak-China relations -Pakistan Today China’s alliance with the United States and their unanimous position on international and regional issues will have positive impact on Pakistan-China bilateral ties.

This was stated by Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University while commenting on the new phase of the Sino-US ties in the wake of President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to the US. He said that forming alliances abroad can help China smooth bilateral ties, like in the context of Pakistan, the two-countries’ growing relation which are cited as exemplary the world over.

The comments are based on Yan’s recent lecture “Strategies for China’s rise and changing international environment.” These appeared in the Global Times, a Chinese tabloid published under the auspices of People’s Daily newspaper.

He believes that alignment between two powers is a solution of many conflicts. For instance, Pakistan is in alliance not only with China, but also with the US. In terms of issues concerning Pakistan, there is no divergence between Beijing and Washington. If China can ally itself with every single ally of the US, there will be far less controversies between the two. But the problem is China is not willing to ally with the US partners.

According to Yan Xuetong, some say that forging an alliance is a Cold War mindset. On the contrary, he says, it is nonalignment that demonstrates the Cold War mentality. The proposal of nonalignment was raised in 1956 by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Egypt’s second president Gamal Abdel Nasser and Yugoslavia’s then president Josip Broz Tito.

And the very first conference of non-aligned heads of states or government, at which 25 countries were represented, was convened in September 1961. The NonAligned Movement came into being during the Cold War, and so has a Cold War mentality, while forming alliances is simply human nature since ancient times.

The core of nonalignment is not to provide security assurances for other nations. All members from the Non-Aligned Movement are small and medium economies, and super powers have never engaged in such a thing. If China insists in nonalignment, how can they show their good will and justice?

Are we going to tell the world that China is growing increasingly stronger, but China will never protect your safety, he questioned.

“For the moment, we should consider how to face the emerging pressure that comes along with the rise of China. That’s correct. Beijing and Washington are now trying to ease tensions with each other by pretending to be friends. But this strategy is obviously not working,” Yan said.

“The root cause is the fact that the core of this bilateral relationship is competition, rather than cooperation. Cooperation is only a method to prevent their competition from getting worse. And it is impossible to turn competition entirely into cooperation.

Hence, my suggestion is to admit that we are competitors, and guide Sino-US ties toward healthy competition,” he added.

“The conflicts of core interests between China and the US are constantly growing.

So far, there is no solution to the puzzle. All we can do is to prevent these controversies from escalating into war. But it is impossible to pursue a relationship without conflicts of core interests. It’s like you can prevent two students from fighting over scholarship,” he said.

“Yet you cannot stop them from competing for it. Instead of ideological conflicts, the major controversy that lies between Beijing and Washington is conflicts of core 1777

April 4, 2016 Continued Mon interests.�

All Day

CHINESE DELEGATION INAUGURATES GWADAR PORT FREE ZONE -- APP

GWADAR: A 61-member delegation from the Chinese province of Xinjian reached here Monday and inaugurated Gwador Port Free Zone.

The delegation was led by General Secretary of Communist Party, Zhang Chunxian. The head of the delegation inaugurated Gwadar Port Free Zone at the Port Area here.

Earlier, the Governor of Balochistan and other officials received the delegation at the airport.

On the occasion, he said that there are immense opportunities for investment in Gwadar and China is interested in the investment in various sectors.

The head of the delegation while speaking said that friendly ties between China and Pakistan were strengthening day by day.

At a ceremony regarding quality education and public health, he said that China is actively taking steps for the development of Gwadar.

The Chairman of District Council, Babu Gulab, appreciated the Chinese steps in this regard.

Zhang Chunxian provided uniforms to students of Model High School and GDA School Gwadar.

Some 3,000 students of other schools would also be provided with uniforms.

It was pointed out that higher education for 20 students of Gwadar would be arranged in China.

The delegation also visited a Chinese memorial in the precincts of Gwadar Port and placed flowers there.

The Chinese delegation also visited the Gwadar Port.

Chairman of Gwadar Port, Dostian Khan Jamaldini, said that this port would prove to be a game changer for Pakistan and serve as a gateway and centre for economic and commercial activities.

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April 6, 2016 Wed All Day

Army chief reassures China of CPEC security -- The Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif has reassured senior Chinese leaders that the military will ensure a secure environment for timely completion of the multibillion-dollar network of roads and rails connecting the Gwadar deep seaport with Xinjiang.

The army chief held out this assurance during a meeting with Zhang Chunxian, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who met him at the GHQ on Tuesday.

‘CPEC a game changer only if Pakistan tackles security issues’ He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for timely completion and subsequent management of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the best interest of a prosperous region.

According to the military’s media wing, matters of mutual interest, regional stability and measures to enhance bilateral defence and security collaboration were discussed in the meeting.

Zhang acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism, and appreciated the successes achieved in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb. He also underlined the importance of CPEC, saying the multibillion-dollar project would have significant long-term impact on the region.

Earlier, Zhang, along with the secretary (CPC) Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also met Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. Chunxian is heading a high-level delegation which also visited Karachi and Gwadar port to review progress on CPEC. The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral issues such as trade, investment, economic cooperation, including CPEC, people-to-people contacts, culture, education and science and technology, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Aziz emphasised that friendship with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries is an anchor for regional peace and stability.

Thanking Aziz for the warm hospitality, Zhang said Pakistan and China were ‘iron brothers’ joined by land, mountains and rivers.

Pakistan Army to establish HQ in Diamer district to ensure CPEC security Reiterating China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, national security and territorial integrity, he lauded Islamabad’s efforts against terrorism and recognised the sacrifices made by its people in this campaign.

Expressing commitment to CPEC, he said it was a flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s ‘One Belt-One Road’ initiative to which the Chinese leadership was attaching great importance.

Zhang emphasised that CPEC would yield economic benefits to the people of China and Pakistan as well as the region.

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April 21, 2016 Thu All Day

Pak, China take space collaboration further -- pak observer

All Day

PTCL to make investment in Gwadar -- The News

Islamabad—Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) signed a contract with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) for the development and launch of Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) system.

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and President of CGWIC Yin Liming inked the historic agreement.

PRSS-1 will be the first remote sensing satellite of Pakistan with multiple applications that will significantly assist the socio-economic and infrastructure development activities in the country. The project assumes greater importance in the backdrop of the ongoing gigantic China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. It will also be utilized to help in various aspects of disaster management such as floods forecasting and damage assessment. Its use will also be expanded into the areas of mapping forestry and urban development. Besides socio economic benefits, the PRSS-1 will also serve the needs of the national security especially in the context of security and border surveillance.

PRSS-1 will be a high resolution Electro Optical Earth Observation Satellite having a life of more than seven years. The system contract consists of one satellite, two ground control stations and a comprehensive know-how transfer program. The satellite will be launched in June 2018 from China. An indigenously developed experimental satellite by SUPARCO will also be co-launched with the PRSS-1.

The cooperation between Pakistan and China in the space domain will open new vistas of socio economic and scientific cooperation giving boost to the historic interstate cordial relations in other fields.

China had helped Pakistan in launching Pak-sat IR from Xichang Satellite Launch center in south west Sichuan province, which replaced Pak-sat 1.

QUETTA: The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) will make massive investment in Gwadar in order to provide facilities to local and foreign investors, PTCL Business Zone South) Executive Vice President Raza Hasnain said on Wednesday.

Talking to newsmen, he said that the PTCL plans to execute infrastructure project in Gwadar in order to make investment-friendly environment for the companies.

Two major data centres of PTCL were already functioning in Lahore and Karachi, he said, adding that Gwadar telecom infrastructure would be connected with Karachi data centre.

Presently, PTCL has been running international internet cable service through four submarines under deep sea water and has planned to expand its international internet service to neighbouring countries, including China, Hasnain said.

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April 22, 2016 Fri All Day

Two-year course in China : CM encourages students to enhance value of green passport -- Daily Times LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that young generation is guarantee to a bright future of Pakistan, adding that provision of resources for equipping the youth with modern knowledge is a useful investment and the government would provide all out funds for this purpose.

Addressing first batch of 66 students selected for two-year Chinese language course on Wednesday, he said that the government has made a programme to send 500 youth to China for learning Chinese language. “First batch of 66 students will leave for China today (Thursday). China has become the second biggest economic power of the world and has proved its mettle across nations,” he added.

Shahbaz said that political, diplomatic and economic importance of China is there for everyone to see, adding that learning Chinese language is the need of the hour.

No doubt, he said, this programme would increase the friendship, economic cooperation and relations between the two countries.

Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, additional chief secretary, Higher Education secretary, vice chancellors and other officers concerned were present on the occasion. The chief minister told the students that they are the ambassadors of the country and they have to earn a good name through hard work, discipline, punctuality and high character in order to enhance the value of the green passport.

He said that the students not only have to learn Chinese language during two years’ course but also get knowledge about history and culture of China. He assured that all out resources would be utilised for the bright future of the country and the nation.

“Youth are equipped with courage and knowledge and they have to make their country prosperous. Punjab government will bear all the expenditure in this regard,” he said, adding that those who would show outstanding performance in the course would be provided with jobs in universities and colleges.

He said that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and a number of other countries are also friends of Pakistan but Pak-China friendship is unprecedented, adding that friendship and economic cooperation with China is important in many respects.

Shahbaz said that judges, generals, policymakers, judiciary, traders and all segments of society would have to play due role in the uplift of the country.

Referring to merit policy of Punjab government, Shahbaz said that culture of merit and transparency has been promoted in the province during the last eight years. He said all recruitments in education, police and other departments have been made on merit. Besides, selection of girl and boy students visiting China has also been made on merit. He said that merit is only way to development of the country therefore, merit has been promoted at every level.

Replying to the questions of students, the chief minister said that Pakistan is more for the poor than for the rich, adding that Pakistan would become the country of Quaid and Iqbal only when the gulf between the rich and poor is eliminated. If we ensure merit, the disappointment of common man will change into hope and he will consider Pakistan as his country and the confidence of the youth will be restored,” he added. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said that it was an honour for him to participate in the ceremony. He said China and Pakistan are good neighbours, friends, partners and brothers and the friendship between both the countries is strengthening with the passage of time. He said that role of the chief minister is commendable for enhancing Pak-China friendship and economic cooperation.

The Chinese consul general would remain in contact with the university in Beijing and extend all out facilities to the students participating in the course in Chinese language. The chief minister also gave laptops to the students going to China.

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April 23, 2016 Sat All Day

NUML holds Chinese exhibition of Muslim customs -- Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid on Friday inaugurated “one belt, one road”, a photo exhibition on Muslim customs in National University of Modern Languages (NUML).

The embassy of Peoples Republic of China, Ningxia Islamic Friendly Council and NUML arranged the exhibition. The Chinese charged d’affaires Zhao Lijian and Ningxia Islamic Council Head Hei Liangji were also present on the occasion.

While talking to media after inaugurating the exhibition, the minister said that the holding of this exhibition in the federal capital not only reflected the deep cultural ties between people of the Pakistan and China but also a testimony of Chinese government’s policy of ethnic equality and religious freedom under which Muslims enjoy equal rights. He said that this exhibition is a message as the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

He said that our people are connected with strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood. The minister congratulated Ningxia Islamic Friendly Council for their efforts to highlight the tolerance and harmony in the Chinese society adding that these exhibitions help promote people to people contact and cultural cooperation which deepens existing friendly relations between both the countries.

The minister said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being constructed along the Silk Route, which has expanded the Pak-China relations by providing it solid economic foundations and dynamism. The minister further said that these relations can now be termed as both corporate and cultural strategic partnership adding that the Pak-China relations are rooted in the will of people of both the nations and such exhibitions would bring the people of both the countries more closer.

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April 25, 2016 Mon All Day

Pakistan-China Economic Corridor – a mutually beneficial project -- The Nations

SANA BATOOL - China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.

It is an under-construction development program to connect Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan to China’s northwestern autonomous region of Xinjiang via highways, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas.

The Pak-China Economic Corridor program was inaugurated in Islamabad on August 27, 2013.

Pak china economic corridor is termed as the game changer as it would usher in a new era of economic progress and prosperity for both countries.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has the potential to turn Pakistan into a hub of regional cooperation; it is of immense importance for the revival of its economy, resolution of energy crisis and strengthening the Federation through development and infrastructure.

Chinese government announced that it will finance Chinese companies to build $45.

6 billion worth of energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC. China has promised to invest around $33.

8 billion in various energy projects and $11.

8 billion in infrastructure projects which will be completed by 2017 at most.

The deal includes $622 million for Gwadar port.

Under the CPEC agreement, $15.

5 billion worth of coal, wind, solar and hydro energy projects will add 10,400 megawatts of energy to the national grid of Pakistan.

According to the BMA capital analysis of impact of CPEC on national economy CPEC will increase GDP growth rate at 1.

5 per cent in next three years.

Moreover, it will also enhance the private investment due to positive environment, economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, stable economy and generation of much needed energy.

Private investment will add 0.

5 per cent to the GDP of country.

Cumulative impact of investment would be 02 per cent during 2016-2018.

Apart from the importance of CPEC for Pakistan, it also has a special significance for China and its future role as great power at global level.

Experts believe that it is not only a trade or economic initiative but also a plan for the expansion of China’s role in the world.

China is building its leading role in Asia and beyond for economic and political cooperation through “One Belt One Road”.

CPEC serves as a primary gateway for trade between China and the Middle East and Africa.

Oil from the Middle East could be offloaded at Gwadar, which is located just outside the mouth of the Persian Gulf, and transported to China through the Balochistan province in Pakistan.

Such a link would vastly cut the 12,000-kilometre route that Mideast oil supplies take to reach Chinese ports.

Even if China uses PCEC only for 50% of its current level of oil supplies, it will save around $6 million every day, almost $2 billion every year.

China will be able to make attractive financial returns from projects initiated under CPEC. The projects would help Chinese firms and labor as machinery used in the infrastructure projects would be procured from China and the projects would also employ a large number of Chinese labor.

Because of its unique geography CPEC is not only significant for the two countries but also for the entire region; Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Tajikistan- land locked countries- will get access to international waters for Oil and Gas exports and other imports.

For Iran, CPEC will provide the country with much needed accessibility to the east and also the decades-old dream of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline can now be fully realized.

Many more companies in the world from various countries would be setting up their businesses to take the advantage of State of the art port the best in the region, with cheap labor and close proximity to the huge Middle East market.

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April 25, 2016 Continued Mon UAE alone is committed to investing $30 Bn. United States has also expressed interest in investing in CPEC projects.

According to world bank report The investment in Pakistan is expected to increase to 15.

4% of GDP by 2017 as a result of operationalization of CPEC. Analysis of facts and figures shows that CPEC is not only critically important for both countries but also a fate changer for the entire region .

Pakistan needs it to overcome its economic, development, social and energy problems.

China needs it to expand its periphery of influence, consolidate its global presence and securing future supply routes of energy and trade goods .

It’s a win win situation for both countries.

World needs it because of its geo strategic location .

Pakistan should embrace this huge opportunity and use it wisely to be able to reap the economic benefits of this corridor and enhance its regional power and prestige.

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April 27, 2016 Wed All Day

Balochistan govt considers tax amnesty for investors in Gwadar -- The Nations

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has planned to introduce a tax amnesty scheme for national and international investors to attract investment to the port town of Gwadar.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai said this while addressing a press conference along with Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Nasib Ullah Bazai here on Tuesday. He said that work on several development projects pertaining to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan was under way. “Work on Zhob-Mughal Kot N-50 and Qila Saifullah Road N-70, Gwadar-Hoshab and Hoshab-Sorab N-85 was under way,” he said. He said that these road projects would be completed before and by 2018.

He said that work had been started on the Rs 14.06 billion East Bay Express project along the coast from Gwadar to Karachi. He said that Rs 4.70 billion were allocated for this project in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2015-16. He said that funds had been allocated for road projects such as Gwadar-Karachi, Gwadar-Basima and Basima-Jacobabad-Khuzdar. He said that Rs 1.01 billion were being released in this regard.

Achakzai said the Balochistan government had achieved 95 percent of the target with regard to implementation of 2,250 development schemes of the provincial Public Sector Development Programme 2015-16 and 140 development projects of the federal PSDP 2015-16. He said that action would be taken against the officials if PSDP funds lapsed. He said the Rs 54.5 billion provincial PSDP 2015-16 had 2,250 schemes — 940 of them were ongoing and 1,310 were new. He said that Rs 19.5 billion were allocated for ongoing schemes and Rs 31.57 billion for new projects.

“About 95 percent of funds for the ongoing schemes have been released within seven months,” he said, adding that 97 percent of the PC-1 of the new development schemes had been approved and 95 percent of funds allocated for them have been authorised.

The minister said the Rs 44 billion federal PSDP for Balochistan had 140 development schemes, adding that 102 federal PSDP schemes were being executed by the federal agencies and 38 by the provincial departments. “About 60 percent of the funds earmarked for the federal PSDP schemes for Balochistan have been authorised and the remaining 40 percent will be authorised soon,” he said.

The additional chief secretary said that 98 percent of progress on implementation of the federal PSDP projects had been achieved. He said that Rs 440 million were allocated for 88 schemes involving the Millennium Development Goals. “At least 87 PC-1 of the Millennium Development Goal schemes were made and 50 percent of work on them had been completed,” he said.

He said that donors had increased financial assistance for foreign funded projects in Balochistan from US $70 million to $90 million and this amount would be included in next year’s budget. He said that water projects worth billions of rupees had been completed with the cooperation of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. He said that Rs 5 billion were allocated for flyovers, by passes and underpasses in Quetta under Prime Minister’s Package. He said that Quetta would be supplied water from Pat Feeder Canal and dams.

He said that Prime Minister’s National Health Insurance Programme had been initiated in four districts of Balochistan on an experimental basis, adding that the federal government and the provincial government would give Rs 25,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively, for the treatment of each poor patient.

Achakzai said that missing facilities were being provided to 900 state-run schools.

“Three new medical colleges, three new universities, seven cadet colleges and five residential colleges were being built. At least 800 primary schools have been upgraded to middle and 400 middle schools to high schools,” he said. He said that 1785

April 27, 2016 Continued Wed 486 small dams had been built with 50 balances and a project of 100 dams was part of the PSPD 2015-16. He said that new provincial budget of Balochistan would have 5,000 check dams and 600 live Karez in 32 districts of the province.

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CPEC is a symbol of Pak-China all-weather friendship, says Nawaz Sharif -- http://www.dnd.com.pk/

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a symbol of all-weather friendship between both the countries.

In a meeting with the Chairman Shandong Hi- Speed Group Ltd Sun Liang in Islamabad on Wednesday the prime minister said that the CPEC is not only a road and rail network but also includes investments in trade, energy, transport, infrastructure and industrial estates.

Warmly greeting the Chairman Shandong Group, the premier appreciated his interest to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.

The prime minster invited Shandong Group to invest in various projects especially in road, rail, power, dams, pipelines, airports and the financial sectors of Pakistan.

“We will provide all possible help to your investment plans,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif said that government’s economic team has worked assiduously during the last three years to achieve the economic turn-around which is being well acknowledged by all the international institutions.

The prime minister said that gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of our economy is rising and Inflation has been brought down to single digit. He added that the stock exchange has shown considerable increase and foreign currency reserves are highest in history.

In his remarks, Sun Liang greatly appreciated the economic policies of the government and attributed the Pakistan’s economic turnaround to the sound economic vision of the prime minister and strict financial discipline of the government.

Sun Liang expressed keen interest to explore new opportunities to invest in Pakistan.

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Gwadar port to be operational this year -- Gulf News

Islamabad: Gwadar port, a key component of the $46 billion (Dh168 billion) ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, will be operational by the end of 2016, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the convocation of a university here, the president said CPEC would make Pakistan a major hub of economic activity in the region.

The president said that CPEC includes several energy initiatives including coal, oil, solar and nuclear projects, adding that upon completion of these projects — by 2018 — the country will be rid of its power shortage problems.

He called upon students to acquire knowledge and skills in the fields of information technology, banking and commerce in order to meet the requirements of the mega corridor project.

The president said Gwadar, on the southwest Arabian Sea coast in Balochistan province, is an important part of CPEC. 1786

April 27, 2016 Continued Wed Officials say an expressway linking Kashgar of China’s Xinjiang region and Gwadar is under construction and will be completed in 2017, and a railway link is also planned.

An international airport is to be built at Gwada, along with various infrastructure projects.

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April 30, 2016 Sat All Day

Gwadar Port Project Reveals China's Regional Power Play -- NBC

GWADAR, Pakistan — A 30-by-45-foot Chinese flag draping the port authority building here projects an unmistakable message: Pakistan and China are now selfdeclared "iron brothers" and "all-weather friends."

Underpinning this relationship are some $46 billion in Chinese investments and loans to build energy and infrastructure projects that will be part of the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

According to officials, new roads will help open up routes for goods from China's landlocked and underdeveloped Xinjiang province, through Pakistan, into the Arabian Sea and then onto the Middle East and Europe.

Image: A Chinese flag hangs on the Gwadar Port Authority building A huge Chinese flag hangs on the newly built Gwadar Port Authority building in Gwadar, Pakistan. Wajahat S. Khan / NBC News Under the 10-year was plan announced in 2015 by President Xi Jinping as a part of Beijing's "One Belt, One Road and New Silk Route," China will also get a free trade zone and ownership of Gwadar Port.

The massive project is about more than simple trade — its backers hope that once finished, it will bolster Pakistan's economy and potentially give China's navy access to the Indian Ocean. The plan would also strengthen both countries' positions versus India, Pakistan's arch-enemy and China's strategic rival, and hedge against U.S. influence in the region.

Situated on a barren, hammerhead-shaped peninsula in the south of insurgencyridden Balochistan — and just northeast of the strategically important Straits of Hormuz — Pakistan's generals and China's politicians predict the development of Gwadar will be a game-changer.

Gwadar "is poised to become one of the most important and modern cities of the Middle East, West Asia and the South Asia" as a "gateway port for Pakistan and ... a world-class maritime hub," according to a Chinese handout at a networking seminar held in Gwadar recently.

So the few dozen Chinese engineers holed up in the Pearl Continental — the only five-star hotel in the vicinity — could be poised to help reset the balance of power in the region.

But creating this "great monument of Pakistan-China friendship," as the local authority calls it, won't be simple or straightforward. Building the corridor of roads, railways and pipelines from northwest China to Pakistan's Arabian Sea coast will be a huge challenge in a country where Islamist militants and separatist gunmen are a constant menace.

At the moment, Gwadar is a fishing city of 120,000 that's closer to the Iranian coast than it is to any major Pakistani city. It has little gas and no water, few buildings more than one story in height.

"HOW CAN WE EXPECT TO BUILD SUCH A BIG PROJECT WITH SUCH A SECURITY PROBLEM?" Locals aren't all sure that the plans crafted by Pakistan's generals and China's politicians will help improve their lives.

In the city's old fishing harbor, angry fishermen huddle every evening under a concrete shed strewn with nets. They smoke hashish and debate what Islamabad and Beijing are thinking, and what cost they will have to bear in this barren peninsula.

"Will they let us keep our land? Will they build us a new harbor once they build a highway here, like they plan to? What will happen to our generations-old tradition of living where you fish?" asked Mehran Mehdi, the head of the local fishermen's 1788

April 30, 2016 Continued Sat group.

"Our boats are rotting and are wallets are empty and our water pipes are dry," he said as he smoked a smuggled Iranian cigarette and toddlers played with stray dogs in Gwadar's East Bay behind him. "Development is good, China is our great friend, this CPEC thing sounds amazing, but don't forget that this is our land, first."

Image: Fishermen in Gwadar Fishermen in Gwadar, Pakistan, unload the day's catch. Wajahat S. Khan / NBC News Lt. General Amer Riaz, the powerful military commander who watches over Balochistan, is tasked with ensuring that Gwadar, CPEC and Pakistan's Chinese benefactors survive security threats. He tried to assuage these concerns.

"There is going to be no deprivation of the locals," he said. "Folks here have the first right to everything. We must ensure that there is transparency and justice in this very critical and expensive project."

Still, security is a nagging issue.

For decades, separatist groups have waged an on-again, off-again violent campaign in Balochistan, where Gwadar is located, saying the state has failed to develop the impoverished region and instead plundered its natural resources.

The CPEC's western branch passes north through the province, where ethnic Baloch rebels are opposed to the project and chafing under a military crackdown. It also skirts the Afghan-Pakistan border where Islamist militant groups, including the Pakistan Taliban and al Qaeda, have long been based. And it takes in Peshawar, scene of some of the worst insurgent attacks of recent years.

Image: A paramilitary soldier stands guard at Gwadar Port A paramilitary soldier stands guard at Gwadar Port. Wajahat S. Khan / NBC News So Pakistan is throwing men and weapons at the project.

The main responsibility for securing the corridor, vital to Pakistan's long-term prosperity, lies with a new army division established in the last few months and numbering an estimated 20,000 troops.

Outside the port authority's office, Pakistan army soldiers with Chinese-made Type-56 submachine guns and U.S.-made Harris radios protect Chinese engineers who arrive daily at the single runway airport.

Pakistani businessmen — many of them land developers from the country's business capital of Karachi some 700 miles to the east — on the lookout for the next big opportunity in Gwadar worry that their country won't be able to deliver on its side of the bargain.

"The army will do what it does, which is to protect the Chinese," said Aftab Ali, a land developer with interests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as he chomped on cigars and spring rolls in the Pearl Continental's marble lobby.

"The Chinese will do what they do, which is to make a killing and some great infrastructure. But the government can't even put up a website about CPEC or manage to get more than three flights a week here," said Ali, who was with his 20something son to teach him the family business. "It's us businessmen who will ultimately make this place, but the government is already getting in the way by not doing much."

Image: Pakistan serviceman stands guard near Gwadar A Pakistani serviceman is silhouetted while standing guard at a hilltop position near Gwadar on April 11. Anjum Naveed / AP And there are still questions about how much the project will help Pakistan's economy. Pakistan's Planning Ministry does not yet have specific estimates on how many jobs the CPEC will create in the country, although officials believe it could 1789

April 30, 2016 Continued Sat generate hundreds of billions of dollars over the long term.

Companies from China's violence-prone far western region of Xinjiang signed deals worth about $2 billion with Pakistan earlier this month during a visit to Pakistan by Xinjiang's top official, who sought to cement ties with an important security partner.

So hope and fear surround the huge project.

Liu, a Chinese engineer working a short drive from the Pearl Continental in the West Bay that is to become a constellation of residential projects and resorts, also said he was hopeful but worried both about timelines and security.

"Look at these men," he said pointing to around 15 security personnel deployed to guard some 30 local construction workers and the Chinese contractors.

"They are all OK," said Liu, who did not want to share his last name. "The army keeps me safe, the police keeps the locals safe, but how can we expect to build such a big project with such a security problem? And if I finish this school by June, like I'm supposed to, will the children who study here be safe?"

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Xinjiang-based Chinese companies to make heavy investment in Gwadar -- pak observer

Beijing—Five Chinese companies based in Karamay Xinjiang region have pledged to make heavy investment in Gwadar port for its rapid development, according to Karamay’s publicity department, reports China Daily on Tuesday. The senior representatives of these companies recently paid five-day visit to Gwadar and entered into agreements with the Gwadar’s Development Authority.

According to the report, the five enterprises and Gwadar reached initial cooperation agreements in hotel construction and management, concrete supply, sale of building materials, agricultural planting technology services, and marine products trade. Gwardar, a superior deep-water port and Karamay city in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region have been sister cities since April 21, 2015.

Meanwhile, a Forum of Chinese Think-Tank at its recent meeting held in Karamay urged entrepreneurs from the both countries to undertake socio-economic projects for the implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It called for proactive cooperation for their mutual benefits. It was decided that the Forum will act an interactive platform for the business community and Think-tank to share information, explore cooperation opportunities, and to actively launch mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as infrastructure, information technology, electricity, energy, agriculture, aquaculture, e-commerce, education, vocational training and climate change.

It emphasized that the two countries should promote the smooth flow of new production factors such as science and technology, capital, management expertise and talent, and information, and implement international cooperation covering joint research and development (R&D), technology transfer, commercialization of R&D results, standardization and promoting innovation through exchange of ideas and experiences. The Forum also called for close collaboration between the city of Karamay and Gwadar port. Karamay is the only city in the world named after its oil fields, a city established in the response to the needs of times. Gwadar Port is a city in the world named after its wind, a city came into existence as the situation requires.

The corporation of both cities will make them the model of cities in various fields, and will be recorded in the written history of both countries and drawn worldwide attention. It was pledged that Karamay, Xinjiang Forum will continuously offer enormous opportunities, abroad development space as well as solid people’s welfare for the implement of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative.—INP

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May 2, 2016 Mon All Day

Senate body seeks execution of CPEC Western route -- The Nations

QUETTA - The Standing Committee of Senate of Pakistan on China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) has demanded of the Federal govt to ensure timely releases of funds for execution of Western route of CPEC which would pass through Balochistan to connect port City Gwadar.

A meeting of the Committee held with its Chairman, Senator Daud Khan Achakzai in chair, here on Sunday which was also attended by its members including Senator Osman Khan Kakar, Senator Rozi Khan Kakar, Senator Inamul Hasan and senior officials.

Secretary Communication, Khalid Rauf and Member, National Highway Authority, Muhammad Yousaf Barakzai gave briefing to the Committee on alignment of CPEC and Zhob-Mughal Kot Road project.

Later, talking to journalists, the Chairman of the Committee and the member Senators said that they welcomed the likely visit of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Quetta.

They said that the Prime Minister should play his pivotal role for timely release of funds for execution of Western route of CPEC. It is need of hour to timely release funds for initiating construction work of western route of CPEC which would pass through Balochistan to connect Gwadar, they said.

They said that although the Federal govt had announced giving special priority to Balochistan in execution of uplift schemes, adding, that but the govt should also ensure release of development funds for Balochistan timely.

They said that the CPEC was game changer in the region which would bring economic revolution.

1791

May 4, 2016 Wed All Day

First phase of Gwadar port operational, NA Committee informed -- Daily Pakistan GAWADAR (Web Desk) – A meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping chaired by Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah was held in Islamabad.

The Committee was informed that the first phase of Gwadar port with three multipurpose berths having a total quay length of 602 meters was now fully operational.

Sources said that the second phase is longer and mainly includes the development of port-related infrastructure projects, which cannot be carried out without the active support and participation of the private sector.

There is a need to mobilize the private sector by announcing attractive incentives and improving the security situation in Balochistan.

Minister for Defence Production Tanveer Hussain said other phases of the Gwadar port project would be functional by next year.

As a future trading hub in the region, Islamabad has already extended tax exemptions and tax holidays at the industrial zones and duty-free economic zones in Gwadar.

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Pakistan, China ink agreements worth $4.2b -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed financing agreements valued at $4.2 billion for the construction of two main road projects of the eastern alignment of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), thereby removing the last obstacle in starting the construction process.

The agreements were signed last week during a visit of Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal to China, according to the ministry officials.

China’s AIIB to co-finance first project with ADB in Pakistan As per the contracts, China would provide a concessionary loan of $1.3 billion for the 120-kilometre long Thakot-Havelian section of Karakoram Highyway-II (KKH-II) and $2.9 billion for the 392-kilometre Multan-Sukkur section of the Lahore-Karachi motorway.

The loan agreements were signed after clearance was given by the State Council of People’s Republic of China. After the signing of the agreements, the contractors have been moved to the construction site, said an official of the National Highway Authority (NHA).

Both projects fall on the eastern alignment of the CPEC and are critical for connecting Beijing with the port city of Gwadar. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has already approved giving the contracts of the engineering design, procurements and construction to the Chinese firms.

Since China is providing concessionary loans for both projects, the contracts have been awarded on a government-to-government basis, waiving the condition of international competitive bidding.

Out of the $46 billion CPEC investment package, roughly $11.5 billion is reserved for the road and railways infrastructure. China has promised to give concessionary loans for four infrastructure projects. Two of these projects will get interest-free loans.

Pakistan, China divided over tax exemptions The composite interest rate of the four projects is over 1.6%, while the interest rate of eastern alignment projects is over 2%.

1792

May 4, 2016 Continued Wed The CPEC is one out of six arteries that China has planned under its ‘one-belt oneroad’ project and, according to the National University of Science and Technology’s (NUST) Chinese Studies Centre Director Syed Hasan Javed, this one-belt-one-road project has been at the planning stage for the last 20 years.

He proposed setting up a constitutional authority to monitor progress on CPEC projects – a suggestion that has already been given by the military to the government.

Javed, who is also a former ambassador, said that a clear implementation mechanism of the CPEC projects was missing and urged Islamabad to remove the obstacles on a fast-track basis.

China is also reportedly upset over the slow progress made in awarding the $2billion commercial contract that includes laying a gas pipeline and setting up an LNG terminal in Gwadar.

According to a report, a Chinese firm had submitted the commercial bid for the contract; it had not been opened yet.

The China Pipeline Bureau (CPB) was designated by the Chinese government to implement the project.

China, Pakistan ink $820m Thar coal agreement The issue of Gwadar LNG pipeline and terminal project was also discussed during last-week’s visit of the planning minister to Beijing, said the ministry officials. They said the project was facing delays due to financing issues.

Ahsan Iqbal proposed to the Chairman National Development Commission of Reforms (NDRC) China to make this project part of the CPEC framework.

They said that the purpose of making the Gwadar pipeline and terminal project part of CPEC was to address financing issues. After its inclusion in CPEC framework, the Chinese financial institutions would give it ‘high priority.’

“China is considering Pakistan’s proposal,” said the officials.

The issues related to CPEC have been largely addressed and now provinces are on board for its implementation, said the CPEC Planning Commission Cell Project Director Major General retired Zahir Shah.

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May 11, 2016 Wed All Day

Linyi-Gwadar freight train begins operation -- BR

The international freight train "Linyi," which travels from Linyi in Shandong province to Gwadar Port in Pakistan via Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has been put into operation, Peoples Daily in a report said on Tuesday. The city of Linyi has over 130 specialised wholesales markets, with its total trading volume reaching 300 billion yuan in 2015. Kashgar is also an important trade port in western China.

In recent years, the cargo trade volume between the two cities has continually increased. In 2015, over 400,000 tons of cargo from Linyi was transported to western Asia via Kashgar. Lian Maoyong, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Asia-Europe International Logistics Company, said that the plywood, hardware and other commodities from Linyi are popular in the West Asia market. Cargo gets transported to Kashgar by train and then transported to Gwadar Port by truck. The whole journey is over 8,000 kilometres and takes 10 days. Compared with sea transportation, the highway-railway combined transport can save both time and money. The Linyi freight train is expected to reach an annual freight volume of 400,000 tons and realise a trade value of 2 billion yuan, according to the newspaper.

1794

May 14, 2016 Sat All Day

Pakistan, China agree to build Gwadar-Nawabshah gas pipeline -- The News

ISLAMABAD: In a major breakthrough, Pakistan and China have initialed an agreement to build 700 kilometers gas pipeline to be laid down from Gwadar to Nawabshah at the cost of $1.35 billion after Price Negotiation Committee (PNC) has finalised the cost of the project.

And to this effect Inter-State Gas System (ISGS) on behalf of Pakistan and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on behalf of China on Thursday initialised the agreement.

The project will be constructed with 85 percent financing from Chinese company and 15 percent from government of Pakistan, and the price at which the gas line will be laid down is much below the estimated cost, top sources of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources told The News. The government of Pakistan will arrange the financing of Rs15-12 billion for the project from the head of GIDC (Gas Infrastructure Development Cess).

When contacted, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi confirmed the development saying both the sides initialised the agreement for building the pipeline. “We are now in the process of making summary for ECC approval and once the approval is accorded, the ISGS and CNPC would formally sign the agreement and after which the construction work would kick off. The pipeline will be constructed and commissioned by December 2017.� To a question, the minister said that since the GIDC amount would be involved in the project therefore, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources had sent the PC-1 of the project to Planning Commission for approval.

However, the sources said that the project was to be built by CNPC that would arrange the commercial loan for the project. The CNPC would be given the contract on EPCF (engineering, procurement, construction and financing) basis. The impression that the project would be completed under CPEC umbrella was not correct, rather the said project would be materialised out of the CEPC initiative and it would be completed as a commercial transaction.

According to the sources, earlier Chinese side had come up with the offer to build the pipeline with diameter of 42 inches at the cost of $2 billion, but after hectic meetings of Price Negotiating Committee (PNC) in a row, the price of the pipeline had been finalised at close to $1.35 billion which was too much below from the expectations. Sources said under the agreement basically the pipeline of 700 kilometer would be built and another 12 kilometer portion of pipeline would also be constructed from LNG terminal to main pipeline and that particular portion would be part of LNG terminal. Once the pipeline was completed, Pakistan would extend the same pipeline with three compressor stations by 81 kilometer backward from Gwadar to Iranian border as part of IP gas line. The pipeline when it is connected with Iran will economically become more feasible as the said pipeline will transport the gas of 750 mmcfd from Iran and 500 from LNG terminal. Later on Iran will increase the gas export up to 1 billion out of which 250 mmcfd gas will be earmarked to cater to Gwadar.

However, the sources said, LNG terminal with 12 kilometer pipeline will be built at Gwadar port with capacity to handle LNG of 500 mmcfd by the same Chinese company on BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) basis. And to this effect Price Negotiating Committee (PNC) will start working on price of LNG terminal. The sources said that the cost of the LNG terminal at Gwadar port would be at higher side as there was no supporting infrastructure to build the LNG terminal, so one had to construct the terminal from scratches meaning by that the project would bear the cost at higher side.

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May 14, 2016 Continued Sat All Day

Chinese offer to finance whole $2b LNG project -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: It appears that the Rs184 billion the government had collected to finance gas infrastructure projects will never be used for their intended purpose, as Chinese have agreed to finance the whole LNG Gwadar terminal and pipeline project.

Originally, the Chinese side was to provide 85% of the financing for the $2 billion project while the remaining 15% ($300 million) was to come from Pakistan’s side.

For that purpose, Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) was to gather the needed funds for the project.

Pakistan, China ink agreements worth $4.2b Under the cess, Rs184 billion was collected, which translates to around $1.8 billion, far exceeding the $0.3 billion needed to finance the project.

The Express Tribune previously reported how these funds had already been spent on projects like Metro and Orange Line, according to officials.

When the Chinese pressed, the finance ministry stalled. The reluctance to even release the token money for the project, gave away the truth: funds were no longer available.

After having weighed Pakistan’s inability to pay for the infrastructure project, the Chinese asked the government to apply for a loan – an expensive and burdensome alternative but better than nothing. But the government continued to drag its feet as it wanted to have Project Cycle-1 (PC-1) approved from the Planning Commission beforehand.

China irked by delay in Gwadar project Left with no alternative and irked by government’s inability to even apply for a loan, the Chinese have agreed to finance 100% of the project, instead of the original 85%.

All the chain of events beggar the question, if Chinese were to indeed be allowed to finance the whole project, what of the Rs184 billion cess?

History At a time when gas shortage was becoming less of a probable scenario and more of an imminent threat, Pakistan conceived Gwadar-Nawabshah pipeline dream.

It was originally proposed as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, since US sanctions on Tehran at the time meant Pakistan was to surrender its own energy interests.

China-funded LNG project to turn into Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline: petroleum minister The project is to be developed under a government-to-government agreement with the Chinese side responsible for project implementation alongside financing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2016.

Correction: In an earlier version of the article, the amount collected to finance the project was stated as Rs183.86 billion. The error has been corrected and is regretted.

1796

May 21, 2016 Sat All Day

1000 acres land acquired to set up Export Processing Zone at Gwadar -APP

Islamabad—The Senate was informed on Friday that one thousand acres of land has been acquired for the establishment of Export Processing Zone at Gwadar.

Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi told the House during question hour that a consultant has been hired for the planning, designing and operation of PC-1 of the project. He said PC-II for appointment of consultant had been approved and EPZA had hired the services of M/s. Techno Consultant International for Planning, designing and preparation of PC-I for Gwadar EPZ. Jatoi further told the House that the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) was operating 5455 stores throughout the country, providing daily use commodities to masses at affordable level.

Answering a question in the Senate the minister said in Punjab there 2993 stores in Sindh 671 3, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1312 4, Balochistan 294, AJK 80 and in GilgitBaltistan 105 retail outlets. He said out of 5455 stores, 4472 stores were regular stores of the Corporation being operated by Corporation itself and 983 were functioning as franchise stores. He said the data relating to complaints of the stores was being maintained at regional level.

Answering another question, the minister said an Rs 4,246.21 million subsidy was provided to Utility Stores Corporation under Ramazan relief package during the last three years. He added subsidy on sugar procured through Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), Ministry of Commerce was discontinued in pursuance of ECC of the Cabinet’s decision. However, he said a quantity of 204,978 Metric Tonnes already procured by TCP for USC was provided from 2014 to May, 2016.

He said the government provided Rs 15, 965. 558, Rs 10,447.828 and Rs 1,433.675 million subsidy on sugar during in 2013, 2014, 2015, respectively. He said the Ministry of Industries and Production was implementing 23 ongoing PSDP projects in various districts of all the provinces during current financial year. He said out of the total portfolio, Ministry of Industries and Production was sponsoring 12 projects worth Rs. 5.740 billion and allocation of Rs. 313.893 Million during CFY 2015-16 for development of infrastructure and establishment/promotion of industries in less developed areas of Balochistan, KPK and Sindh.

While Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal replying to a question relating to his ministry said at present there are a number of Chinese working on various projects in Pakistan. However, in view of security considerations, he added it would be appropriate not to make the number public. He said security of Chinese working in Pakistan on various projects lies with M/o Interior, being the focal agency responsible for security of the Chinese. He said a Special Security Division (SSD) has been raised comprising 9,000 Army personnel and 6,000 civil armed forces, which would be deployed to ensure security of Chinese working on CPEC projects.

1797

May 23, 2016 Mon All Day

Gwadar to become game changer: Dastagir -- APP

QUETTA: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir has said that Gwadar is going to become game changer for the entire region.

He was addressing a launching ceremony of Pak-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here on Monday. He said that the federal government would construct warehouse in Taftan and Expo Center in Quetta, respectively.

He said that the nation had pinned hope on mega projects of China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Deep Sea Port which would boost national economy, adding that Gwadar would be proved a game changer for the entire region.

The minister said that most of funds were allocated for power production projects to be executed under CPEC. He said that bright future of the region linked with CPEC and Gwadar projects.

He said that the federal government has planned to construct a warehouse in border area of Taftan and Expo Center in Quetta to strengthen local and national economy and to support trade activities. “If the Balochistan government provides land, the federal government will construct warehouse in Taftan and Expo Center in Gwadar,” he said.

Dastagir said that Pakistan wanted neighboring countries of Iran and Afghanistan to extend their fully cooperation for strengthening mutual trade relations. “Around US $ 35 billion will be spent on power production projects in the region,” he said, adding that several road projects would also be executed under CPEC and other mega projects.

Others who spoke among them were former federal minister Aijazul Haque, Balochistan Assembly Speaker Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani, Iran's Consul General Majeed Sadiq and Provincial Minister Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhel.

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May 24, 2016 Tue All Day

Quetta-Gwadar section of western route to be operational by Dec -Observer

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday said that apart from investment in physical infrastructure, CPEC would integrate the economies of China and Pakistan and industrialise Pakistan by turning it into a trading & manufacturing hub of the region.

Speaking at a seminar titled, ‘Symbol of immortal friendship - icon of iron brotherhood’, organised by the Ministry of Planning and Development in connection with 65th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, he said, “Pakistan is investing in CPEC projects from its own resources, and alongside it, it is seeking monetary assistance from multilateral financial institutions under the CPEC framework. ” He said that China jumped to top foreign investor position in Pakistan after CPEC, whose first phase would be completed in 2018.

Ahsan described the holding of the event at his ministry as a testimony to the fact that bilateral relations had entered into geo-economic orbit.

“When the prospects were not promising for Pakistan, China reposed confidence in Pakistan by promising investments in CPEC, when foreign and local investors were reluctant to come forward,” the minister said, and added: “CPEC should not be construed merely as a bilateral agreement, but it should be seen in a broader context. ” Ahsan said future of CPEC depended on business enterprises in both China and Pakistan.

“Business enterprises in both countries will take over as they will realise the real potential of CPEC in the coming years” he prophesied.

Ahsan said that Quetta-Gwadar section of the western route would become operational by December 2016 that will provide Afghanistan and Central Asian states access to the Gwadar port city.

He informed that DI Khan and Burhan sections of the western route would be completed by June 2018.

He pointed out that due to CPEC, for the first time, the neglected treasure of coal Thar would be utilised for power generation.

The minister expressed the optimism that CPEC would trigger economic activities in far flung areas of Balochistan.

Addressing on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said that CPEC had uplifted bilateral relations to strategic economic partnership, and added that economic diplomacy now played an active role in relationships between states.

He congratulated Ahsan on playing a key role in CPEC Both Ahsan and Weidong also jointly cut the cake of 65th anniversary of diplomatic relation between China and Pakistan.

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May 25, 2016 Wed All Day

DEVELOPMENT IN GWADAR WILL INCREASE WITH COMPLETION OF PROJECTS UNDER CPEC -- Radio Pakistan

Development in Gwadar will increase with completion of projects under CPEC

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says steps have been taken to attract Chinese and other foreign investors to invest in Gwadar. In an interview, he said the pace of Development in Gwadar will increase completion of projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said Pakistan's exports will increase after completion of Gwadar Port. The connecting roads with other parts of the country will be completed at the end of this year. Ahsan Iqbal said besides other incentives, the government has declared Gwadar tax free zone for twenty-three years. Country has been put on the right track with economic indicators showing positive trend.The economic performance has also been appreciated by the world's leading financial institutions. Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is not merely a bilateral project but the entire region will benefit from it.

Pakistan will emerge as a hub of international trade with completion of this mega project. Central Asian states have already started planning projects to connect with the CPEC. The project will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and the youth should get themselves prepared to seize opportunities. Under CPEC, Gwadar deep sea port will be made functional by the end of this year.

Finance Miniser Ishaq Dar stresses the need for making joint efforts to stabilize economic gains Finance Miniser Ishaq Dar has stressed the need for making joint efforts to stabilize economic gains. Addressing a pre-budget seminar in Islamabad, he said the opposition members need to sit with the government and evolve a charter of economy so that fundamental economic policies are not changed with change of government to ensure speedy development. The Minister assured that no new tax burden will be put on the existing taxpayers in the next budget. He, however, said the government will specially target the non tax filers in a bid to force them to come into the tax net. Government would enhance development expenditure while no new burden would be put on the existing taxpayers in the budget for 2016-17. The Finance Minister said during last three years, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government's prudent economic policies had managed to stabilize the dwindling economic condition as had been endorsed by the major international rating agencies. When the PM-N government came into power in May 2013, it had inherited a dwindling economic condition and international financial institution were declaring Pakistan as a macro-economically de-stabilized country. International financial institutions like IFC and ADB had closed their doors for business with Pakistan. There was some 18-hour load shedding in rural areas and 16-hour electricity breakdown in urban areas, he said. Present government took bold decisions to stabilize the national economy and saved the country from a possible default. Government took power the budget deficit was 8.8 per cent which had now been brought down to 4.3 per cent and Dasu hydel project to overcome the energy crisis. US $ 46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiated with the help of China would bring prosperity in the country. If Pakistan stayed on course it could become the 18th largest economy by 2050.

Pakistan trade caravan makes final stop at Dushanbe Pakistan Trade Caravan, which held successful trade shows in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, has now reached Dushanbe, Tajikistan on its final leg.

The two-day caravan was jointly inaugurated by the Tajik Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Secretary Trade Development Authority Pakistan (TDAP) Rabiya Javeri Agha, and Pakistan Ambassador to Tajikistan Tariq Iqbal Soomro.

Addressing a news conference, the Ambassador said the two countries have vast business potential, which needs to be tapped. About forty different companies from Pakistan exhibited their products and expertise.

SECP reduces company formation fee to encourage corporatization 1800

May 25, 2016 Continued Wed With the aim to bring the non-corporate businesses into the corporate fold and incentivise existing companies, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has decreased the fee for the formation of a company as well as for the filing of returns being charged under the Sixth Schedule to the Companies Ordinance, 1984, effective from May 31, 2016. The corporate sector regulator issued an SRO notifying a reduction of 60 per cent fees in the first slab of capital fee for new incorporation cases to Rs1,000 for online and Rs2,000 for offline submission from Rs2,500 and Rs5,000, respectively. The fee structures for other slabs of the capital fee too have been rationalised. SECP has also made significant reduction in filing fee for returns, particularly for small sized entities, by introducing capital based filing fee starting from as low as Rs250 for online and Rs500 for offline submission replacing the existing structure of fixed filing fee of Rs600 and Rs1,500, respectively. In order to further incentivise the corporate sector, the SECP will also provide a set of certified copies of all incorporation documents free of cost on its registration. There are around 60,000 companies registered with the SECP, but the officials expect that the number could jump several folds only if tax relief is provided to the business opting to form a registered company.

All Day

Funds for Gwadar Safe City project released -- Daily Times

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattah said that the federal government had released funds from the Federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for implementation of Gwadar Safe City project.

“The provincial government has also finalised arrangements to start construction work in this connection,” he said in a meeting which was held with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri in chair here. The meeting was also attended

by Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Inspector General of Police Ahsan Mehboob, Home Secretary Dr Akbar Harifal and divisional commissioners.

He said that the federal government had released funds for Gwadar Safe City Project and work on the project would start soon. He added that a Chinese ship loaded with machinery for Gwadar Port had reached Gwadar and berthed at the port. "Two more Chinese ships from Shanghai, China will reach Gwadar soon," he said.

The chief secretary said that a team of Chinese engineers and technical experts would reach Quetta to prepare feasibility report for the Mass Transit Train which will run between Kuchlak and Quetta to provide traveling facility to local people.

Saifullah said that during the chief minister’s recent visit to China, the Chinese and Pakistani officials agreed that China would extend its collaboration to make feasibility report on Quetta Mass Transit Train System. “Therefore a team of Chinese engineers and technical experts will reach Quetta on May 25,” he added.

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May 27, 2016 Fri All Day

Pakistan considering to link Gwadar with Chabahar: Sartaj Aziz -Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s top aide Sartaj Aziz on Thursday said Pakistan was considering linking Gwadar with Iranian harbour Chabahar.

“Pakistan welcomes projects of regional connectivity which have the potential to generate economic activity,” Aziz said while responding to a question during a press briefing.

The adviser hinted at a proposal of declaring Gwadar and Chabahar as “sister ports” and said Pakistan was also constructing a road to the Iranian port being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan.

Chabahar port — the new game changer?

“A number of proposals for regional connectivity are on the cards and even China is pursing routes other than China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.”

War against terror In response to a question regarding the country’s losses in the war against terrorism, Aziz said, “Pakistan has suffered 60,000 casualties of which about 10,000 are those of security personnel.”

The foreign affairs adviser said the war against terror had also caused a $110 billion loss to the country’s economy, adding it was not justified to equate the US financial assistance to Pakistan as “aid” because it was a “reimbursement” of what the country had lost to fight militancy.

“We don’t want to meet our losses through American aid. We want an overall cooperation by the United States which is more important for the region,” he said.

Commenting on the implementation of Pakistan’s anti-terror programme, Aziz said it had been successfully implemented followed by the on-going National Action Plan (NAP).

Iran, Afghanistan, India sign three-way transit accord “We have the ability to deliver better when facing challenges,” the adviser said when asked about Pakistan’s strategy to cope with the current challenges.

He said being a nuclear power and a stable economy, Pakistan would sail smooth and move forward by overcoming the current issues.

1802

June 7, 2016 Tue All Day

PAK NAVY FULLY PREPARED TO ENSURE SECURITY OF GWADAR PORT -- Radio Pakistan

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah says Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to ensure security of Gwadar Port.

He was addressing the 45th PN Staff Course at Pakistan Navy War College Lahore.

He focused on the prevailing geostrategic environment and enhanced responsibilities of the Navy in the wake of upcoming Gwadar port and CPEC projects.

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June 13, 2016 Mon All Day

China to build mega oil pipeline from Gwadar to Kashgar -- The Nations ISLAMABAD - Work on Gwadar-Kashgar oil pipeline that would carry one million barrel per day (1MMBD) Middle Eastern oil to China will start in 2017, it is learnt reliably.

Another milestone in the Pak-China relation is nearing as China is getting ready to shift around 17 percent of its oil import to Gwadar-Kashgar oil pipeline, official sources told The Nation here. The five-year project is likely to start in 2017 and will be completed by 2021, the source added.

It is the part of the Chinese policy of revival of silk route as the pipeline will be built along this ancient trade route. The project will be funded by the Chinese government and Frontier Work Organization (FWO) will execute the project for them, the source maintained.

Silk route was rebuilt by the FWO and Chinese want them to utilise their previous experience in the laying of oil pipeline, the source added. The FWO has already given its presentation on the project to the ministry concerned and is likely to embark on the project in 2017. The final length, route and cost of the project are yet to be finalised.

Gwadar is near the Persian Gulf and close to the Strait of Hormuz, which holds twothirds of the world oil reserves and from where an estimated 17 billion barrels of crude oil passes daily. The port opens up a 3,000km-long trade corridor that will connect Gwadar to Kashgar, in China’s western Xinjiang region, via roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas.

The Chinese Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) took over the Gwadar Port in 2013 for 40 years. Beijing and Islamabad signed $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which includes, energy projects, building of new roads, railway lines and a network of oil pipelines to connect Kashgar to Gwadar.

The new 3,000km (1,500 mile) network of highways, rails, and oil pipelines will give China quicker access to Europe and the Middle East. Currently, china is importing around 6 million barrel oil per day from different countries of the world via sea route, and the Gwadar-Kashgar pipeline is likely to take around 17 percent of the share of total Chinese import.

The existing sea route being used by China passes through the risky South China Sea, Pacific Rim, the Strait of Malacca and Sri Lanka, and Chinese ships have to cruise about 10,000 kilometres for reaching its final destination. The Gwadar Port will reduce the sea distance to 2,500 kilometres and land distance for Kashgar to 2,800 kilometres because Kashgar is 4,500 km from the main Chinese port of Shanghai. The CPEC related projects will not only save China time but also millions of dollars.

The overland route, via Pakistan, eliminates the need to ship crude through Malacca Strait. Chinese will establish a massive Industrial Park at Gwadar, which will house an oil city and petroleum refining zone beside dozens of other technical and logistical installations. This will help China meet its energy needs.

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June 14, 2016 Tue All Day

‘CPEC is most important agreement in history of Pak-China cooperation’ -- Daily Times ISLAMABAD: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President Abdul Rauf Alam on Tuesday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the most important agreement in the history of Pakistan and China cooperation which would not only strengthen Pakistan's economy bit it would also be an impregnable line of defence.

The economic corridor would push bilateral economic, political and cultural relations to new heights which would be beginning of a new era of prosperity which is not acceptable to some countries.

Speaking at 11th China-South Asia Business Forum, he said, "Friendship with China is our most precious asset while CPEC is a game changer project which cannot be compromised at any cost." The FPCCI president said Chinese impressive progress had amazed whole world which proved that their economic model was one of the best and that now time had come that private sector of both countries use each other expertise to excel in various fields including energy, infrastructure, tourism and mining etc.

He said, the Corridor for Pakistan was the strongest pillar of economic, commercial and cultural connectivity between Pakistan and China and its regional impact would be very positive.

The network of roads, railways and industrial parks would herald a new era of development and prosperity to benefit three billion people, he added. He said, it would bring China's financial and industrial capacity and technological ability with Pakistan's plentiful resources, hard-working labour and market.

Rauf Alam said, it was a matter of few years when China would become world's greatest economic power which would also help Pakistan's economy. "CPEC is a significant part of the `Belt and Road' initiative," which is not only a domestic strategy of China to open up its central and western regions, but also a highly laudable regional and international development proposal," he observed.

He said China had assured Pakistan that any change in the international political scenario would not impact the CPEC plans which is very heartening. Pakistan and China, he said, were best friends while Beijing had always unconditionally supported Pakistan. “China has played very vital role in development of Pakistan and we will not compromise our brotherly relations at any cost," he added.

The cordial ties between two countries had reached new heights with the launch of CPEC as for the very first time economic relations had gained more importance than then political ties. He said, the project would be completed well in time while Pakistan wa providing enhanced security to Chinese nationals working for the $46billion project as the country's domestic and foreign nations were using "extreme means" to sabotage the ambitious project.

All Day

Pak, China agree to boost cooperation in agriculture sector -- Pakistan Today Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan met the Secretary of Communist Party China of Yunnan Province Li Jiheng in Kunming, China.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the successful fourth China-South Asia Expo, especially with regards to Pakistan’s active participation with the largest country pavilion.

They exchanged views on the current status of economic and commercial ties between the Chinese province and Pakistan. The two leaders also agreed to focus on ways and means to further promote ties between the countries in a comprehensive manner.

1805

June 14, 2016 Continued Tue The commerce minister said that bringing Pakistani agricultural products like rice and fruits to Yunnan could be an important step in this direction.

The Secretary of Yunnan Party agreed that the two sides needed to work closely in this area.

In addition, it was also agreed that concerted efforts will be made to enhance people to people contacts and cooperation in important fields of science and technology, culture, tourism and education.

The minister is visiting Kunming to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the fourth ChinaSouth Asia Expo being held from 12th to 17th of this month.

1806

June 16, 2016 Thu All Day

Pak-China road to prosperity -- Pak Observer

Recently China has been emerging as an economic power by not only spreading its wing over Asia and South Asia, but encapsulating under its influence the Western countries as well. Where Pak-China ties have been withstanding the tests of time, they have been pursuing projects of regional harmony and the ones fortifying their bilateral relations. Including such deals was the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries in 2007 according to which the trade volume between them increased from $13 billion (2013) to $20 billion (2015).

However, last year in April 2015, the two countries signed another major agreement, which began the work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, worth $46 billion. This agreement has been the cornerstone for reviving Pakistan’s economy and enhancing the trade between Pakistan and China. Also part of the OBOR is agreement to construct the Maritime Silk Road or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The goal of this initiative is to bolster alliance in various regions of Oceania, North Africa, and Southeast Asia via key maritime areas, which are the India Ocean, the South China Sea, and the South Pacific Ocean.

Where China’s investment in Pakistan will uplift its economy and provide it with initiatives for job creation, it will also create opportunities for infrastructural development in areas where extremist factions reside, hence reducing their threat, and bringing development in those areas. Therefore, reforms are likely to occur in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Despite assurances from Islamabad and Beijing, the success of CPEC cannot be guaranteed as Pakistan remains an agriculture country, its manufacturing sector has been stagnant, and it does not value innovation, while the political influence remains hovering over all its sectors and decisions.

Moreover, Pakistan may not be able to stay at par with China’s economic progress and the degree of innovation it houses in its many sectors. Furthermore, Pakistan must assure that China’s recent investments in Pakistan must reach the stakeholders and should not be concentrated in the hands of the few – the ones who have been reaping fruits of such deals in the past.

India’s pursuit to gain regional hegemony in South Asia might take a back seat with China investing heavily in Pakistan. India might try to reduce the pace of development works related to the CPEC. However, India-China ties may also face friction and therefore affect Pakistan-India relations. India’s recent ambition to become part of the 48-member exclusive Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) may also aggravate the tension that Pakistan and India have been facing for decades.

India would likely fortify its relations with US, which it has begun doing following the recent visit of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. Moreover, new US President who will take oath to office on January 20, 2017, will likely bring in new foreign policy initiatives for both Pakistan and China and it can affect the CPEC or the OBOR. However, with China already exerting its influence on South Asia, it is unlikely that Washington may be able to sway China from its primary economic objectives and plan with Pakistan.

— The writer is a freelance columnist based in Karachi.

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June 18, 2016 Sat All Day

China Petroleum cuts $200 million cost estimate for Gwadar LNG pipeline -- Pakistan Today

China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau signed a gas pipeline deal with Pakistan at a lower price as the Chinese company, has revised the cost of laying the pipeline downwards to $1.3 billion after negotiations with the government in Islamabad.

According to an official, Pakistan and the Chinese company had initialed an agreement for building a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline from Gwadar, but the company has now lowered the contract price to $1.3 billion compared to $1.5 billion quoted in the financial bid given to Inter-State Gas Systems.

Earlier, China had expressed concerns over the slow progress being made in awarding the contract for the LNG pipeline.

A revised PC-1 of the project has been approved by the Central Development Working Party of the Planning Commission. Now, the project has been sent to the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) for formal approval.

According to the official, Pakistan will negotiate a loan agreement with the ExportImport Bank of China that has already made an offer in this regard.

He said the gas utilities were working on extending the pipeline network at a cost of $1.1 billion that amounted to $34 per inch metre, but the cost of building the Gwadar LNG pipeline was $32 per inch metre.

The Chinese company will also construct an LNG terminal at Gwadar Port on the build-and-operate model and it will be able to handle 600 million cubic feet of LNG per day.

The previous Pakistan People’s Party-led government had imposed gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) on gas consumers for laying these pipelines and so far Rs183 billion has been collected.

However, the current PML-N government has spent the entire collection on metro bus projects and nothing is left for implementing gas import projects.

For the Gwadar LNG pipeline and terminal project, China will provide 85% of financing whereas Pakistan will contribute the remaining 15%. This is an additional burden that gas consumers will be bearing in addition to paying billions of rupees in GIDC.

All Day

Industrial zone in Gwadar to create 40,000 jobs: GPA chief -- Daily Times QUETTA: Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Dostain Khan Jamaldini Friday said that work on construction of an industrial free zone in Gwadar was underway and the port city alone would create about 40,000 jobs in future.

The construction of the 10 square kilometres industrial zone is underway with a total outlay of $2 billion, where Chinese, Middle East, European and Pakistani investors have planned to establish 300 factories, said Jamaldini “The Chinese firm is spending $2 billion for construction of roads, provision of electricity, gas and water in the industrial zone which will be completed within stipulated time,” he said, adding work on road network, railway track and communication infrastructure from Chinese province Xinjiang to Gwadar was in full swing.

Pakistan, he said, had started work on different sections of CPEC in shape of roads including Skardu-Hawalian, Multan-Sukkur, Gwadar-Hoshab, Gwadar-Rato Dero, Mughal Kot-Zhob and others Under the CPEC, the chairman said a power plant of 300MW is being established in Gwadar which run simultaneously on coal, diesel and gas. “A LNG plant is also 1808

June 18, 2016 Continued Sat being established in Gwadar to meet energy requirement of new industrial units to be set up in the port city,” he said.

Jamaldini said that the CPEC infrastructure of road network would be completed by 2018 while other projects would continue till 2030.

“It is flagship project of One Road, One Belt initiative by Chinese leadership to be implemented by 2030,” he said.

He said that technical and vocational training institutes were being established in Gwadar, Quetta, Khuzdar and other cities of Balochistan to provide training to youth in industrial parks being established in Balochistan as part of the CPEC. He said work on 19km long East Bay Expressway was underway which would connect Gwadar International Airport to Gwadar Deep Sea Port Early harvest project is also being executed in Gwadar with an estimated cost of Rs 14 billion, he added.

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June 19, 2016 Sun All Day

Chinese minister hopeful of successful completion of all CPEC projects -- Pakistan Today

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said that his country will provide all possible support to Pakistan ensuring success of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“We attach high importance to CPEC since it is a pilot project of China’s initiative of One belt One Road,” he said adding that this connectivity plan is aimed at bringing peace and prosperity in the region and the world as a whole. Pakistan, he said, is their best friend and they wished to take their decades’ old relationship to a new height through frequent socio-economic interaction and people-to-people contacts.

“The Chinese government is encouraging its business community to make maximum investment in Pakistan for the success of CPEC,” Li Huilai said, and added that this in an informal chat with a media delegation consisting of over 30 representatives from 18 member states, observer states and dialogue partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The visit was arranged on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of SCO. The minister expressed his confidence that the concept of One Belt and One Road will not only raise the living standards of the people of both sides but will also positively affect the entire region. Replying to a question, he said that CPEC is the best example of growing Sino-Pak relationship.

Earlier, at the formal news briefing, Li Huilai said that Pakistan’s entry into SCO will enhance the organization’s status and influence to effectively address security issues, and give a boost to socio-economic partnerships among the member countries.

Welcoming Pakistan, which is set to become a full-member of the SCO, he said that it would be an important development in addressing issues of common interest in the future. Pakistan is an important country of the region and its role towards security and counter-terrorism is highly positive, he added.

The minister said that China has been supporting the expansion of the organization and attached high importance to Pakistan’s role as its full member. Pakistan will be joining the organization at a time when the organization celebrates its 15th anniversary.

He hoped that the SCO’s Summit, which is going to take place in Tashkent on June 23 and 24 will be a landmark event for making the organization more strong and effective, particularly to deal with the security issues. The Summit, he said would adopt a common strategy on counter-terrorism. China is willing to work with the member states to promote peace and development in the region, he further said.

Li Huilai elaborated China’s contribution and support to SCO and said it was done for a win-win situation and mutual benefit. He said that they laid special focus on upholding the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ that aimed at achieving common prosperity and promoting socio-economic collaboration and cultural exchanges.

China being the founding member of the SCO, the minister said, is always committed to promoting better regional connectivity and economic development which could ensure better living conditions of the people.

The concept of the organization is to further promote economy of member states and enhance cooperation among them in all fields of common interest. China, being the second largest economy of the world, has the maximum foreign reserves which have been a source of better life not only in the Chinese cities but also for the people of relevant countries as a whole, he added.

1810

June 23, 2016 Thu All Day

HEC TO SETUP UNIVERSITY OF GWADAR, UNIVERSITY OF BALOCHISTAN AT ZHOB -- Radio Pakistan

Higher Education Commission will establish University of Gwadar and a Campus of University of Balochistan at District Zhob to provide educational facilities to the students of far-flung areas.

According to an official of HEC, these projects were in connection with China Pakistan Economic Corridor and would contribute towards providing better higher Education facilities in Balochistan.

1811

July 2, 2016 Sat All Day

Success of CPEC linked to Gwadar, says naval chief -- Pakistan Today

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah said that the overall success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hinges on the development of Gwadar port.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Admiral Zakaullah who visited Gwadar the other day was briefed regarding the ongoing operational activities and associated security aspects at the port, particularly with respect to the CPEC. He inspected the naval installations around Gwadar and inspected the operational readiness of Pakistan Navy units deployed in the area.

He expressed Pakistan Navy’s resolve to ensure the seaward defence of vital maritime infrastructure and protect maritime interests of Pakistan against all threats.

He reiterated that development of the Gwadar port will be the lynchpin for the overall success of the CPEC. While talking to the officers and servicemen of Pakistan Navy, the admiral applauded their professionalism and dedication in safeguarding the maritime frontiers of the country. He expressed his satisfaction on the port security measures and operational preparedness of the Pakistan Navy in their area of responsibility.

Upon his arrival, the admiral was received by Commander Coast Rear Admiral Waseem Akram, the ISPR said. Later in the day, he held an informal interaction with navy officers and servicemen, the military’s media wing added.

1812

July 5, 2016 Tue All Day

Gwadar airport to cost $260m -- APP

ISLAMABAD: With construction costs estimated at $260 million, Gwadar International Airport would be capable of handling the largest of passenger planes including the A380 Boeing jet.

The entire amount would come in the form of a grant from the Chinese government, the Parliamentary Committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was informed in its recently held meeting here.

Additionally, the Chinese government has given a grant of $10 million for building the Pakistan-China Vocational and Technical Training Institute to help locals acquire skills.

Gwadar Port Authority Chairman also informed the committee that the water problem of Gwadar was being sorted out with the construction of Sawad dam where water would be provided to Gwadar through a 83km pipeline and the water shortage of Gwadar would be resolved in that manner.

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1813

July 6, 2016 Wed All Day

Gwadar airport to give boost to CPEC -- Observer

GWADAR international airport to be capable of handling the largest of passenger planes including the A380 Boeing jet is being constructed at a cost of $ 260 million dollars, and the amount for the airport is a full grant from the Chinese friends. Since the Gwadar international airport is an important segment of the multi billion dollar game changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, therefore early implementation of this project is vital to accrue full benefit from the corridor project.

To make the Gwadar port fully operational and hub of regional trade, it is important that the port city’s air, rail and road links are developed in a satisfactory manner as per the international standards. According to the Chinese and our government officials, the Gwadar port will be made fully operational by the end of this year, therefore, it has become all the more necessary that Gwadar airport project, which is being dubbed as the country’s biggest and most modern landing field be implemented at the earliest in order to facilitate the visiting businessmen who are showing great interest for investment in the Gwadar special economic zone. The airport project will indeed serve as a catalyst for enhancing investment and development in Gwadar and catering to the requirements of a bustling industrial commercial city. We have no doubt in mind that the facility, because of its geo strategic location, will serve as a major hub for international flights operating in the region. Additionally, emphasis should also be laid on the skill development of the local population so that they could get jobs and fully exploit the economic activities to be generated by the execution of mega projects under the CPEC. While we appreciate the government for planning to establish Gwadar University for the promotion of higher education in the so far neglected area, it is also heartening to note that Chinese government has also given a grant of ten million dollars for building the Pakistan-China Vocational and Technical Institute. We expect that the government will not waste any time in the implementation of this important project, as it will make the local youth ready to take up technical jobs at the port and make it a success story.

1814

July 10, 2016 Sun All Day

Gwadar another Dubai emerging on world map: Chinese media -- The Nations

BEIJING: Gwadar, another Dubai is emerging on World’s map, that will change the economic scenario of not only Pakistan but whole of the region, reports Chinese media.

There will be a ceremony next month marking the completion and commencement of major infrastructure projects in Gwadar that also greatly boost the city's function as an economic engine for the country.

A water dam, a hospital and a school will be put into use in August, while the construction of the Gwadar International Airport, a seaside expressway, a training center and a pipeline will begin in the meantime.

Most of the projects are financed by China and falls under CPEC, Xinhua reports quoting Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Dostain Jamaldini.

COPHC, a Chinese company managing the Gwadar port, also said it will start developing the Gwadar Free Trade Zone (FTZ) this month with an initial investment of $ 150 million.

"First phase projects in the FTZ include a multi-function business center, a exhibition hall for Chinese goods and cold storage," COPHC Pakistan chief Wu Chunguo said.

The FTZ and the Gwadar Special Economic Zone are two areas that the Pakistani government has granted preferable policies to attract investments, with tax exemptions for companies inside the two zones for 23 years and 10 years respectively.

A town with a population of less than 100,000, Gwadar was once a territory of Oman before being purchased by Pakistan in 1958. It is gifted with a natural deepwater harbor that falls close to main shipping lanes and an anchor-shaped peninsula that acts as a breakwater shielding the harbor from the waves of the Arabian Sea. An arid climate and isolated location once limited locals to rely on the meager income brought in by fishing.

Though development plans had been drawn up by the Pakistani government in 2002, the town remained dormant for another decade before China chose the port as one of the four focuses for its ambitious scheme to overhaul Pakistan's infrastructure.

The other three are upgrading road and railroad networks, patching up the energy sector and establishing industrial parks, all projects that stand to benefit from a prosperous Gwadar port.

Seizing the momentum brought by CPEC, the Gwadar government is hoping to develop the coastal town into a modern metropolis with a major port, industrial zones, tourist attractions, recreation grounds and high-end real estate.

It certainly seems that the town is moving in that direction, says Wu of COPHC. "We are seeing an increasing number of businesses coming for talks to invest in the port. In April we received more than 350 business representatives, a record high."

Land prices, a barometer that measures investor confidence, has more than doubled in the past two years, Jamaldini said.

An acre of land in the FTZ, which cost 3.4 million Pakistani rupees (32,000 U.S. dollars) in 2014, is now priced at more than 10 million rupees (95,000 US dollars), he said, adding land price for the most prime location on the tip of the peninsula is even higher.

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July 10, 2016 Continued Sun Encouraged by the upcoming boom, locals are ready to move on from harvesting fish to harvesting a better life.

Dubai is the word often used when the people of Gwadar picture their future, believing the huge opportunities created by CPEC will transform their fishing town to a center of business, shipping and tourism. "What Dubai can achieve, so can we," Jamaldini said.

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July 11, 2016 Mon All Day

CPEC PROGRESSING WELL, EARLY HARVEST PROJECTS PUT ON FAST TRACK: AHSAN -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said Monday that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the top priority of the government and its early harvest projects would be completed at fast pace.

Chairing a high level fortnightly review CPEC meeting, the minister directed the authorities concerned to execute work on the Western passage with full thrust and provide update in each fortnightly meeting.

Minister further directed that the timeline of each project must be specified and pursued for timely completion.

He expressed satisfaction over the progress of ongoing CPEC projects and urged for finalizing Long Term Plan (LTP) of CPEC at the earliest.

The Federal Minister directed for speeding up work on all infrastructure projects and also directed that since Gwadar was in focus, so some of its projects should hit ground breaking in the month of August with the independence day celebrations.

He directed for carrying out the work on Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar seaport projects on fast track basis.

Meeting reviewed the progress on projects in energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar under CPEC framework.

The minister directed for maintaining the momentum in the construction work on CPEC projects to ensure their completion in stipulated time frame. He said that construction work on various projects of different sections of Western route should be completed as per the timelines to operationalize it at the earliest.

While reviewing the energy projects the Ministry of Water and Power appraised that work on Port Qasim Power Plant, Thar Power Plant, HUBCO coal Project, Sahiwal Power Plant and other hydro power projects is on track and these would be completed as per the schedule.

He said fast track work on these projects is necessary to tackle the energy crisis and power needs of industrial zones in future under CPEC. Ahsan Iqbal said that provincial governments should play proactive role to attract foreign investment in respective provinces as this is not only for the interest of projects, but also necessary for the economic growth and development of provinces.

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July 12, 2016 Tue All Day

China attaches high priority to CPEC, says Zhao Lijian -- The Nations

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy Zhao Lijian said his country attaches high importance to the Corridor Project that meant to improve the living conditions of the people and overcome problems like power shortage.

There are thirty China-supported infrastructure and energy projects and five more would be added under CPEC’s framework this year. "Eight coals, solar, wind and hydro-power energy projects are also under construction to meet the energy requirement of the country," he said at a function held here at Chinese Embassy in connection with teachers’ training program.

Chinese companies are also implementing two mega projects including ThakotHavailian section of Karrakurm Highway (KKH) and Sukkur-Multan section of Lahore-Karachi motorway at a cost of $ 3 billion.

Zhao Lijian said, prior to signing of CPEC between China and Pakistan in 2013, China was at number 16 in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan, adding, now China is largest investor in Pakistan after initiating multi-billion dollars project under the CPEC framework.

He said, this project would not only change the life of people of Pakistan in days to come but also prove beneficial for the whole region. Referring to the celebrations of 60th anniversary of Pak-China Diplomatic Relations, he said, the relations between the two brotherly countries are touching new heights after the signing of CPEC. "The flower of China-Pakistan friendship will become more beautiful in future," he commented.

All Day

CPEC early harvest projects to be completed at fast pace: Ahsan -- The News

Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said Monday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the top priority of the government and its early harvest projects would be completed at fast pace.

Chairing a high-level fortnightly CPEC review meeting the minister directed the authorities concerned to execute work on the Western passage with full thrust and provide update in each fortnightly meeting.

The minister further directed that the timeline of each project must be specified and pursued for timely completion. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of ongoing CPEC projects and urged for finalising Long Term Plan (LTP) of CPEC at the earliest.

The federal minister directed for speeding up work on all infrastructure projects and also directed that since Gwadar was in focus so some of its projects should hit ground breaking in the month of August with the independence day celebrations.

He directed for carrying out the work on Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar seaport projects on fast track basis.

The meeting reviewed the progress on projects in energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar under CPEC framework. The minister directed for maintaining the momentum in the construction work on CPEC projects to ensure their completion in stipulated time frame.

He said that construction work on various projects of different sections of Western route should be completed as per the timelines to operationalise it at the earliest.

While reviewing the energy projects the Ministry of Water and Power appraised that work on Port Qasim Power Plant, Thar Power Plant, HUBCO coal Project, Sahiwal Power Plant and other hydro power projects is on track and these would be completed as per the schedule.

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July 12, 2016 Continued Tue He said fast track work on these projects is necessary to tackle the energy crisis and power needs of industrial zones in future under CPEC. Ahsan Iqbal said that provincial governments should play proactive role to attract foreign investment in respective provinces as this is not only for the interest of projects but also necessary for the economic growth and development of provinces.

All Day

CPEC to make Pakistan gateway for Central Asia and beyond: Gen Janjua -- Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Security Advisor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua said on Monday that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provided Pakistan a great opportunity to become a gateway for Central Asia and beyond. “We see a greater fortune here as Pakistan is going to become a gateway for the Central Asia and ultimately to Russia through this mega project”, Nasser Janjua said while addressing a meeting of Islamabad based senior members of the Supreme Central Committee of 101 Friends of China here.

The meeting was attended by intellectuals, economic experts, former ambassadors and former secretaries. Speaking as chief guest of the event, Gen Janjua said where there were opportunities, there were always challenges to be faced. General Janjua said China was heading towards becoming the leading economy of the world which was not acceptable for some dominating world economies.

He said two trends of international power politics prevailed these days - first of which was the containment of China and the second was to prevent resurgent of Russia as a big power, Gen. Janjua said. He warned, these two trends would affect Pakistan the most.

He said the economies of existing allies of the United States were already saturated, therefore it (the US) was looking towards India as emerging economy in a bid to contain China. He said the $46 billion CPEC would help China and Pakistan change the fortune of the people of both countries as well as the region as it was going to be a trade corridor.

Addressing the event, Chairman 101 Friends of China, Zahid Malik announced that the Secretariat of the Think Tank was all set to mark a beginning of opening its chapters in all the cities and towns of Pakistan. “Even small villages in distant areas would have these chapters,” he said.

He also announced the launch of the enrollment of its members and the target of membership for the year 2016 had been set as 100,000. Meanwhile, the 101 Friends of China also put a Resolution expressing serious concern over the escalation of tension in the South China and alarm over the military build up in the recent weeks in the region, which was adopted unanimously.

Expressing solidarity with China, the resolution stressed that the Permanent Court of Arbitration should conduct business strictly within its jurisdiction and that its rulings should not be used as an instrument to fuel tensions and disputes. He said China wanted to resolve the issue of South China Sea peacefully through negotiation with its neighbouring countries, including Vietnam and Philippines.

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July 13, 2016 Wed All Day

Pakistan working on Gwadar-China oil pipeline -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is working on a plan to lay an oil pipeline from Gwadar to China for the export of crude and has given the task to state construction firm Frontier Works Organisation, say officials who are aware of the development.

The pipeline will run from Gwadar Port to western China and will allow Beijing to diversify and speed up import of crude oil. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had floated the idea of constructing the oil pipeline during a visit to China.

China irked by delay in Gwadar project

According to the officials, Pakistan would have surplus oil in the future as Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) has decided to revive the $6-billion Khalifa Refinery project that was shelved by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the previous government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Parco will set up the refinery in Balochistan that will have the capacity to process 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day. In Parco, the UAE holds 40% shares whereas the government of Pakistan has a 60% stake. China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation has also expressed interest in setting up an oil refinery in Pakistan, preferably at Gwadar.

The refining capacity of Byco, Pakistan’s largest refinery, has jumped to 155,000 barrels per day (bpd) after completion of work on its second unit of 120,000 bpd.

Previously, Parco was the biggest refinery with production capacity of 90,000 bpd, followed by National Refinery with 68,000 bpd, Pakistan Refinery with 48,000 bpd and Attock Refinery with 45,000 bpd.

Chinese offer to finance whole $2b LNG project The planned oil pipeline from Gwadar to China could be extended and connected with Iran that has already offered to build a pipeline for the supply of crude oil to Gwadar, the officials say.

Iran had also expressed the intention to set up an oil refinery of 400,000-barrel-perday capacity at Gwadar Port during the previous PPP government. However, the project could not be pushed ahead because of international sanctions on Tehran and failure to reach an agreement on the proposed incentives.

The project can be implemented in future after the Chinese take operational control of Gwadar Port. Gwadar is quite close to the Persian Gulf from where nearly 40% of the world’s oil passes.

According to the officials, China meets 50% of its oil demand through imports from the Middle East. Oil supplies come via Dubai-Shanghai-Urumqi route covering over 10,000 kilometres.

Gwadar port to be operational by 2017: Chinese official The crude oil processed and refined in Pakistan can be exported through the shortest possible Dubai-Gwadar-Urumqi route – a distance of about 3,600 km. This can be achieved by laying an oil pipeline through the energy corridor up to western China via Karakoram Highway and Khunjerab Pass.

Hurdles in the way like the high altitude, freezing temperatures and a difficult terrain can be overcome with the help of advance technology.

Many countries have successfully completed similar pipeline projects under extreme conditions and at high altitudes such as the Atacama gas pipeline, TransAlaska pipeline and Trans-Asia gas pipeline.

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July 13, 2016 Continued Wed All Day

PM says personally overseeing CPEC projects -- Express Tribune

LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said he was personally overseeing the progress of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects which had the potential to change the lives of millions of people living in the region.

The prime minister expressed these views in a meeting with a delegation, led by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman Warid Telecom International and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Group, Union National Bank and United Bank Limited at his Raiwind residence.

PM Nawaz returns home after successful heart surgery in London The prime minister said the $34billion project would connect the entire region through construction of a quality road network and railway tracks. He said his administration had made choices to put the country on track to attain durable peace, sustainable economic growth and massive infrastructure development. The Ranger-led Karachi operation was carried out in consultation with all stakeholders which helped a great deal in restoration of peace in the mega city.

Premier Nawaz expressed his satisfaction over the success of Operation Zarb-eAzb to wipe out terrorists from the country. He said his government had ensured uninterrupted power supply to the industrial sector and vowed to overcome energy shortage in the country by 2018. Also, he said the transparent agreements for LNG would help overcome gas shortage by next year.

The premier recalled that he had made Islamabad-Lahore motorway in the 1990s and at present, 13 more motorways were under construction with an investment of Rs900 billion which would cross Rs1 trillion mark by the year’s end.

PM convenes cabinet meeting to discuss situation in held Kashmir Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan extended his heartfelt congratulations on the successful surgery and consequent recovery of the prime minister. Appreciating the leadership role of the prime minister, Sheikh Nahyan said Pakistan had shown tremendous improvement in almost all sectors of the economy over the last three years.

He said Pakistan was fast becoming an ideal destination for foreign investors owing to the transparent, fair and incentives-based investment policies of the government.

“Your leadership has enabled Pakistan to witness rapid economic growth and attract foreign investment. You have greatly helped your country in achieving its true image worldwide”, he said.

Other delegates included Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of VimpelCom Ltd, Mobilink, Alfalah Bank and members Board of Directors Abu Dhabi Group.

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July 14, 2016 Thu All Day

CPEC’S SECURE COMPLETION TO ADD NEW DIMENSIONS TO PAK-CHINA FRIENDSHIP: NISAR -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said Pakistan's expanded cooperation with China in counter terrorism, security and trade domains would arguably be a defining partnership in 21st century.

He expressed these views during a meeting with visiting Minister for State Security of China, Geng Huichang. Officials from China's counter terrorism, technical and intelligence divisions were also part of the Chinese security delegation.

The meeting covered a broader scope of discussion for increased coordination between security establishments of two countries in intelligence sharing, counter terrorism coordination, and security of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Ch. Nisar said, "Secure and successful completion of CPEC would add new dimensions to our friendship cementing our economic as well as strategic bond."

He said CEPC would also help Pakistan and China expand their trade footprint in region and beyond.

"CPEC is not only flagship project between the two countries but also focuses on strategic depth in Pak-China relationship," the Minister was quoted as saying by Spokesperson for the Ministry.

He said both sides must be cautious about regional and global powers who do not want to see CPEC for their own interests and reiterated that Pakistan, at all levels, is committed to thwarting all conspiracies against CPEC. Ch. Nisar said two sides should exponentially enhance intelligence sharing precisely in fight against terrorism, extremism and countering violence.

He remarked that Pakistan would continue its fight against all terrorist groups who create disturbance and generate violence in Pakistan.

Pakistan is committed for not allowing any group to use its territory for violence abroad, he added.

Commenting over ongoing fight against terrorists groups, Ch. Nisar said operation Zarb-i-Azb dividends have started reaping its benefits.

About security of Chinese citizens working across Pakistan in different development projects including CPEC, the Minister pointed out that a Special Security Division is already working under Pakistan Army to secure their lives.

Meanwhile, Mr. Geng Huichang appreciated efforts of Pakistan in fight against terrorism, specially the gains achieved under operation Zarb-i-Azb.

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July 18, 2016 Mon All Day

GWADAR’S EAST-BAY EXPRESSWAY TO BE COMPLETED BY DEC 2018 -- APP

ISLAMABAD: The construction of East-bay expressway of the Gwadar Port would be completed by December 2018, according to sources from Gwadar Port Authority.

The sources informed APP that PC-1 of the project had been approved by Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on January 12, 2015 and it was a 19-KM six-lane expressway with 2- way railway track.

The expressway provides immediate and uninterrupted connectivity to Gwadar Port terminals with the Mehran Coastal Highway in the first phase and with New Gwadar International Airport in the second phase.

"An amount of Rs. 13.543 billion would be funded through government of China confessional loan whereas Rs. 0.519 billion would be arranged through local component", sources added.

For this project, Rs. 4.7 billion have been earmarked for the project.

The sources added that the Chinese Government had agreed to provide 100 per cent interest free loan for the project.

The selection of Chinese company was made through limited bidding under the G2G framework.

Work of the project would start during 1st quarter of 2016-17.

Due to delay in review of project cost by MOFCOM allocated funds could not be utilized.

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July 20, 2016 Wed All Day

3,000 ACRE OF LAND TO BE PROVIDED FOR EXPANSION OF GWADAR INDUSTRIAL ZONE -- BR

Wednesday, 20 July 2016 16:53 Posted by Parvez Jabri E-mail Print PDF Views: 466 imageQUETTA: Balochistan provincial government would provide 3,000 acre of land for expansion of Gwadar Industrial Zone in order to make it further functional, Secretary Industries and Trade, Noor Muhammad Jogezai said on Wednesday.

The provincial government was taking practical steps to give incentives for investors and industrialists to develop industries and enhance its activities, he said while chairing a meeting of Gwadar Industrial Estate and Development Authority.

Besides protection of the investment, the industrial would be allotted land on proper price and soft conditions, he added.

The Secretary said, the real estate activities should be discouraged in the Industrial Zone, adding, the plots allotted for setting up of industries should not be utilized for any other purpose.

He said, all the hurdles in the way of the development of the industrial zone should be removed.

Jogezai said, the industrialists should be assured that the government was in favour of development of industries and revival of sick industrial units.

He said, possible tax exemption would also be ensured for the industries, adding the development of industrial zone would help ensure employment opportunities for thousands of people which would prove a milestone for the development of the province as well as the Makran belt.

He also directed to further improve the master plan and make the Gwadar industrial zone functional aimed at speeding up industrial activities there.

It was also decided to shift the office of the industrial zone from Karachi to Gwadar to enhance industrial activities at the industrial zone.

All Day

CM says railway track to be laid under CPEC -- The News

KOHAT: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Tuesday said that a railway track from Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan would be laid under the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC).

Talking to reporters after condoling with the relatives over the sad demise of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Kohat district president Humayun Chacha, he said that the CPEC would usher in a new era of prosperity and development in the country.

He said Jhand-Kohat road would also be developed under the CPEC project. “CPEC is a project of progress and prosperity for the entire country. All the provinces including that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would equally benefit from the project,� added the chief minister.

Responding to a question about the repatriation of Afghan refugees, he said the federal government had extended the stay of refugees for six months and hoped that their dignified repatriation would be started after the end of the deadline accordingly.

Answering another question regarding shifting of Oil Refinery from Kohat to Karak, Pervez Khattak maintained that formal decision to this effect had not yet been taken and the Refinery would be set up at a suitable place.

Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Asad Qaiser and Minister for Law Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi accompanied the chief minister during the visit.Earlier, they offered 1824

July 20, 2016 Continued Wed fateha for the departed soul of the late party leader.

Pervez Khattak paid glowing tributes to the services of late Humayun Chacha for the party, saying the departed soul was a great asset to the party.Later, the chief minister visited the residence of PTI district leader Aftab Alam Afridi and condoled the death of his mother-in-law.

All Day

CPEC A FORTUNE CHANGER FOR GILGIT-BALITSTAN REGION: AHSAN IQBAL -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday that cooperation between Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan and Xingiang province of China can add a new chapter in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) because of their geographic proximity.

The Minister proposed a five year plan for promoting cooperation and partnership between Xingiang and Gilgit-Baltistan in various fields.

"We need to learn from China's development experience of establishing economic zones like the Kashgar economic zone," he added.

The Minister expressed these views while having a meeting with the Chinese business and stated that economic integration and regional connectivity between Pakistan and Xingiang province is critical for making CPEC a success.

Ahsan Iqbal said that CPEC will take this friendship from higher than Himalayas to higher than stars.

He said that regional and economic integration is very significant for the success of the CPEC projects.

The Federal Minister mentioned that Mr. Zhnag Chuxian, Secretary of Communist Party of Xinjiang Province had a fruitful visit to Pakistan which laid foundation for stronger cooperation between Xinjiang and Pakistan.

He said that the success of CPEC depends on business to business and people to people contacts of both the countries.

Federal Minister said that Cooperation between China and Pakistan is not an ordinary one but we also have brotherly relations.

Ahsan Iqbal said that we need to develop a very comprehensive roadmap of cooperation in different sectors between Pakistan and China particularly between the Xinjiang province and Gilgit Baltistan.

The Minister said that cooperation between Pakistan and China would materialize in the form of solid projects and it will add colours in our friendship.

He proposed that sports and education could be possible areas of cooperation between Gilgit and Xinjiang, as GB has very young population.

The Minister also proposed that Chinese experts could visit Excellence Centre of Pakistan to create a better understanding of Chinese Economy in Pakistan.

He said that both China and Pakistan are committed and working hard on CPEC projects and all the projects would complete in stipulated time.

Yuan Jianmia appreciated the dynamism of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform for his dedication and commitment with CPEC and supported the proposals of Federal Minister, extending full support.

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July 21, 2016 Thu All Day

‘Pak-China Cultural Street’ to be established -- APP

LAHORE: The Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) on Thursday called for establishing ‘Pak-China Cultural Street’ in different cities of the country to promote cultural harmony between China and Pakistan.

Talking to the media, PCJCCI President Shah Faisal Afridi said the cultural street would also serve as a fascinating entertainment place for people of Pakistan. He added that the cultural street could include Chinese cuisines, calligraphy, literature, martial arts, movies, theatre and dresses.

Moreover, traditional Chinese festival such as the spring festivals and mid-autumn day could also be celebrated in those streets of Pakistan, along with Pakistani local festivals such as Shindoor Mela, Mela Chiraghan, and Jashn-e-Baharaan, he said.

Faisal Afridi said the cultural links should extend beyond the traditional modes of inter-state contacts and could include student and faculty exchange programmes between universities, academic conferences and professional associations of Chinese and Pakistani experts and the civil society collaborations.

He asserted that the interactions between the Pakistani and Chinese media should also be encouraged along with joint ventures in creative arts like cinema, theatre and music, led by inter-governmental collaborations. He said that Pakistan had the potential to become the safest place of investment with collaboration with China in all fields of trade and industry.

All Day

CHINA EXPRESSES SATISFACTION OVER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CPEC PROGRESS -- Radio Pakistan

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong expressed satisfaction over the implementation of Pak-China Economic Corridor project. He was Addressing to the ceremony, on the occasion of chandeliers as gift for Mazar-e-Quaid, he said Economic Corridor project is in the interest of both countries, nation and region. The Ambassador rejected rumors regarding dissatisfaction on project “China, Pakistan determined to complete CPEC on priority”: Ahsan Iqbal Minister for Planning says both China and Pakistan are committed and working hard to complete China Pakistan Economic Corridor in stipulated time. He was speaking at a meeting with a delegation of Chinese businessmen in Islamabad. The Minister said cooperation between Gilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang province of China can add a new chapter to CPEC because of their geographic proximity. Pakistan wants to learn from China's development experience of establishing economic zones like the Kashgar economic zone. The Chinese delegation assured to promote business and other relations between Gilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang.

ECNEC approves six projects of worth over Rs81 billion The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved six projects of worth over 81 billion rupees. The committee, which met in Islamabad today with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in the chair, approved modern billing system for the entire company of IESCO at a cost of 16,930.1 million rupees.

It also approved similar project for five divisions of LESCO at a cost of 30,274.66 million rupees. ECNEC acceded Sindh Resilience Project for strengthening flood embankments and construction of small dams with a total cost of Rs. 9984.00 million. It also approved construction of Lahore Sialkot motorway with a cost of 5904.116 million Rupees.

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July 21, 2016 Continued Thu All Day

Govt urged to start work on CPEC western route -- The News

PESHAWAR: Mustaqbil Pakistan Partysenior vice-presidentRoshan Khattak has asked the federal government to start work on the western route of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on a priority basis.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, he also called for establishment of industrial zones and other uplift projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so that poverty and unemployment could be controlled.

Flanked by provincial leaders and activists of the party, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was faced with terrorism since long. He said the investors shifted their businesses to other provinces due to poor law and order situation in the province.

Roshan Khattak said the federal government should give due importance to the western route of the multi-billion CPEC project and construct economic opportunity zones in different parts of the militancy-hit province. The CPEC was game-changer for the province and that it was an issue of life and death for the people of KP, he added. “We will not allow anyone to usurp the rights of this province,� he vowed.Roshan Khattak said the western route of CPEC was the shortest and more feasible way that would connect the country with the Central Asian Republics, which could boost trade with the regional states.

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July 22, 2016 Fri All Day

China happy with smooth implementation of CPEC: envoy -- Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong on Thursday quashed the rumours of discontent on part of the Chinese government about the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying that China was “satisfied with the smooth implementation on the corridor”.

“China is satisfied with the pace of implementation of the CPEC project. The corridor is under smooth implementation, and will deliver mutual benefits to both countries as well as the people of entire region,” said the envoy while talking to journalists on Thursday. The statement was crucial in the wake of a local media report, which claimed that the CPEC had been put on the backburner by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government with the ailment of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and accusations against his family in the Panama Papers.

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July 26, 2016 Tue All Day

Ahsan optimistic about CPEC progress -- The News

ISLAMABAD: China’s State Council is in the process of approving grants for the Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar Expressway projects and ground breaking of these two projects would be performed this year.

“Gwadar is the gateway of the CPEC, and the ground-breaking ceremony of its two projects — Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar Expressway would be performed this year while Gwadar University would also become operational from September this year,” Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said here on Monday.

The minister said that Gwadar city would not just be a port city but would also become the hub of socio-economic activities for the local people. He said that the CPEC would help upgrade the local fishing and ship building industries so that the people of Gwadar could get maximum benefit from this project for better livelihood.

Ahsan Iqbal expressed these views while meeting with a delegation of the Gwadar Press Club in the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms. The minister said over $1.6 billion would be invested under early harvest projects including modern airport, motorways, water, power, health, education and related projects .

He said that under the CPEC not only the Gwadar Seaport, International Airport, Expressway would be developed but also hospital and technical & vocational training institutes would be constructed in the port city.

He said that Gwadar would be connected to other parts of the country by end of this year as work on the western route —Gwadar to Quetta Road and Gwadar-KhuzdarRatodero section is being completed on fast track. The D.I Khan to Burhan Section would get completed by June 2018, he added .

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC would benefit all the provinces especially the most-backward areas of the country. He said that Sindh and Balochistan will be the largest beneficiaries in energy component of CPEC, as out of total £35 billion, $11.5 billion would be invested in Sindh, and $9.1 billion in Balochistan.

He said that the 20th century had belonged to political ideologies but today is the era of political economy, economic stability and inclusive growth. While highlighting the Vision 2025, he said that the fist pillar of the vision is regional connectivity and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would benefit three billion people of the region through enhanced regional connectivity.

He said that CPEC is a 15-year-long project to be completed in 2030 with special focus on infrastructure development, Gwadar Port, energy and phases by economic zones. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China in 2013 and it has been converted into $46 billion investment within a short period of one year. He said that CPEC is a fusion of Vision-2025 of Pakistan and China’s “One Road-One Belt” for future growth and development. He added that Orange Train project was not part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as this project was funded by Punjab government.

He said that administrative work on CPEC is the responsibility of Ministry of Planning with the help of other ministries and departments while the Pakistan Army is responsible for providing security. The minister further informed the delegation that on instructions from the PM to the army chief, 9,000 army men were being deployed in the security force for CPEC projects. Both civil and military departments are playing their role satisfactorily and in complete harmony.Ahsan Iqbal also mentioned that Federal Government would help in establishing Gawadar Press Club building for the journalists at Gwadar.

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July 28, 2016 Thu All Day

China to establish Study Centre at UoP -- Daily Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on Thursday that China considers Pakistan as one of the closest friend having common interests.

He said that during this visit to University of Peshawar (UoP) along with a fourmember Chinese delegation. The Chinese ambassador handed over a partnership cheque to University of Peshawar vice chancellor Dr. Muhammad Rasool Jan for the construction of China Study and Research Centre which would become functional by September this year. The centre will focus on research, culture, language and lifestyle of the Chinese.

He said Pakistan and China were celebrating 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations which was a true testimony to Pak-China friendship. China gave status of closest friend to Pakistan owing to their unprecedented friendship and cordial relations.

He said if China had only one friend in the world that would be Pakistan, adding his government was cooperating with the government of Pakistan in the promotion of all the sectors especially education. The establishment of Chinese Study Centre in UoP was a step forward towards this end.

About the CPEC, the Chinese ambassador said that it would play the role of a game changer in the region, as Karakuram Highway and Gawadar Seaport were being upgraded in the first phase.

Vice Chancellor Rasool Jan appreciated the cooperation of Chinese government and said friendship between the two countries was time tested which survived crucial times of history. He also expressed the hope that the study centre would provide youth a chance of research and opportunities to benefit from the experience of each other.

The centre in UoP will offer professional diploma, degree and research courses in order to raise employment opportunities in the region by creating professional work force for CPEC.

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CPEC agreement is confidential, Ahsan Iqbal tells Senate -- Dawn

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said agreement of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is confidential and cannot be made public.

“Agreement of the economic corridor with China is sensitive and it cannot be disclosed,” Iqbal said in the Senate session.

However, the minister handed over a sealed copy of the CPEC agreement to Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani and asked the members to examine the agreement in the chamber of the chairman if they wished to do so.

Earlier Chairman Senate Rabbani, on the request of members of the Senate on Wednesday, directed the federal government to present the agreement of CPEC before the Senate, as some senators were of the view that the government is providing advantages of CPEC agreement only to Punjab.

Ahsan Iqbal said the CPEC agreement will be a game changer in the region and entire world is focusing on it.

“At the present, it will be inappropriate to make the document public.”

He added that there are several agreements with China under the umbrella of CPEC and work is under process on these agreements.

CPEC strategic game-changer Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, in his address commemorating the 89th Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Liberation Army, termed the 1830

July 28, 2016 Continued Thu CPEC as “strategic game-changer for entire region”.

“Let me emphasise that CPEC is a strategic game-changer not just for Pakistan but for the entire region. It is destined to bring significant improvement in the lives of millions of people, besides further promoting mutual interdependence among regional states,” General Raheel said.

The army chief said “affinity of views between China and Pakistan” reflected their common vision and shared destiny. “This convergence of our interests and commonality of purpose make us the most important strategic players in the region,” he added.

General Raheel maintained that the CPEC was Pakistan’s “national undertaking” and assured its full security. “I assure you that we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success,” he asserted.

CPEC: background The CPEC is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas from Gwadar Port to Kashgar city, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China Daily reports.

Proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan in May 2013, the CPEC will act as a bridge for the new Maritime Silk Route that envisages linking three billion people in Asia, Africa and Europe.

An official agreement on the corridor was signed between the two countries in May this year during President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Pakistan.

A flagship project of the Belt and Road initiative as well, the CPEC intends to revive the ancient Silk Road with a focus on infrastructure, and constitutes the strategic framework of bilateral cooperation.

The project links China's strategy to develop its western region with Pakistan's focus on boosting its economy, including the infrastructure construction of Gwadar Port, together with some energy cooperation and investment programs.

It also involves road and railway construction including an upgrade of the 1,300-km Karakoram Highway, the highest paved international road in the world which connects China and Pakistan across the Karakoram mountains.

The CPEC will reduce China's routes of oil and gas imports from Africa and the Middle East by thousands of kilometers, making Gwadar a potentially vital link in China's supply chain.

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GOVT DIRECTED TO BRIEF SENATE ON CPEC AGREEMENTS DETAILS -- BR ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani Wednesday directed the government to brief the Senate about the details of agreements regarding ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Chairman Senate gave the ruling after a marathon debate on an adjournment motion of Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldin about the salient points of agreement between Pakistan and China.

He said Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal should brief the Senate either on Thursday or Friday about it.

Earlier, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab said CPEC was a national project and no step would be taken against the interest of any province.

Winding up debate on the motion, he said the project had not been launched for the development of a single province but its benefits would be reaped by the entire nation.

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July 28, 2016 Continued Thu He said those who, in past, were criticizing the PML-N vision to launch the Metro Bus project or construct Islamabad-Lahore Motorway were now appreciative of those projects, which had greatly facilitated the people.

He said economic zones under the CPEC project would be built in consultation with the provincial chief ministers which would bring an era of economic development in those areas.

He said the total cost of the project was 46 billion dollars and out of which 34 billion dollars was meant for the energy projects which were taking place not in a single province but in the whole country.

This amount was not a loan rather Chinese financial institutions would assist their country's companies which could enter into joint ventures with local Pakistani companies, he added.

He said work on coal, wind and solar projects had been initiated under the CPEC and two power projects of 1320 MW would be completed by 2017. Similarly, 660MW projects in Thar and 1320 WM coal projects in Sahiwal would be completed by 2017, he added.

These projects, he said, showed that smaller provinces were not being neglected and reflected the government's sincerity to bring prosperity in all the provinces under the CPEC. He said the hydel power project to be set up in Sakki, Menshra would produce 870 MW. Land was being acquired for the project, he added.

He said 720MW and 1100 MW projects would be launched in Kirot, Azad Kashmir and Kohala respectively.

He said a 400MW solar power project had been completed in Bahawalpur which was at present producing 100MW and would attain full capacity by 2017. He said in Thatta Jamper a 200MW project would be completed.

He said a route would lead from Khunjrab to Burhan, passing through five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said E-35 would be completed from Burhan-Havelian which would reduce distance of Hazara to other areas of the KP province.

He said as part of the Western Route, earlier a road was to be built from Burhan but now work would start from Hakala to Dera Ismail Khan.

He said out of five portions of the motorway, contract of three had already been awarded and road from Dera Ismail Khan would lead onward to Zhob and then to Gwadar.

The project would be completed in two years.

He said railway track from Peshawar to Karachi would be dualized which would help further reduce distance.

He said currently there were three berths at Gwadar, while 80 more berths would be built.

He said the new Gwadar airport would be built at an estimated cost of Rs 22 billion, besides building two dams for water storage.

He said power plants having capacity of 300MW would also be set up at Gwadar while an LNG terminal would also be established. He said a state-of-the-art hospital would be constructed in Gwadar to provide best healthcare facilities to the people.

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July 28, 2016 Continued Thu Regarding tax free zones, he said the government wanted to fetch foreign investment through announcing incentives.

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July 29, 2016 Fri All Day

Gwadar port ops with new firm to start by Dec -- Nations

ISLAMABAD - Gwadar deep sea port is set for commencement of operations with new Chinese port operator China Overseas Ports Holding Company in December this year, sources said yesterday.

Pakistan has granted 40-year concession to the Chinese company which is currently working implementing expansion and development plan creating cargo handling capacity upto 300 million tons a year.

The previous concession holder M/s Port of Singapore Authority International had set up a Multipurpose Terminal at the port that could handle a total of 6.329 million tons of urea and wheat since December 2008.

According to the sources in Gwadar Development Authority (GPA), the existing Multipurpose Terminal has not even been utilized to its full capacity.

On the other hand, the new operator M/s China Overseas Ports Holding Company has commenced container service on short scale loaded with sea food from Gwadar Port.

The sources said that work various projects including provision of electric power and fresh water, hinterland connectivity as well as Free Zone of the port is going on in day and night.

Although the port is ready to receive ships, its optimum operations would start once hinterland connectivity is completed, businesses are started in Gwadar, Port Free Zone and required infrastructures are in place.

The port at present is operational with 602 metres quay length Multipurpose Terminal accommodating three ships at a time each of 50,000 tons deadweight capacity, one RORO facility and one service berth of 100 metre length for marine crafts for maintenance and refuelling. East revetment of approximately 1000 metres is ready in all respect for extension of present quay.

The total length of quay wall along the east revetment will be 4.7 km accommodating 22 ships of 200 meters each in the next phase of port expansion.

More quays will be developed along the western and north western shore a total length of 17 km accommodating 51 ships of 300 meters length.

The phase of development will have special focus on construction of Container Terminals in order to capitalize on the container trade.

The Gwadar port, the sources said, will also cater for the needs of transhipment as it will largely serve the landlocked Afghanistan and central Asia, Pakistan and China.

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Pak-China ties: University of Peshawar to set up dedicated China Study Centre Pakistan -- Daily Pakistan

PESHAWAR – A China based Study Centre has been inaugurated at University of Peshawar and was visited by Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Thursday.

The ambassador met UoP Vice Chancellor Rasul Jan and presented a check to him at the Chinese Language, Culture and Research Centre.

The study center will encourage and promote research and study on Chinese history and culture. The center will also seek to bolster existing Pak-China friendship.

The centre will start offering Chinese language courses and degree courses for research on China from September.

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July 29, 2016 Continued Fri “Following China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the study centre will offer enormous help to industrialists by providing them the necessary skills in their subject of interest,” Jan said in his welcome address to the Chinese delegation.

He added UoP had academic linkages with three universities in China and would like to introduce exchange programs with more varsities.

“The establishment of a study centre at a time when both countries are celebrating 65 years of their diplomatic relations is a milestone achievement,” Chinese ambassador Weidong said.

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July 31, 2016 Sun All Day

50 Pakistani teachers left for Beijing to learn Chinese language -- The News A group of 50 Pakistani teachers left for Beijing to acquaint themselves with Chinese language and culture on the invitation of the Chinese government.

It was the second batch of teachers visiting the China within a period one month.

The visit aimed at developing communication linkages at the people-to-people level and to provide linguistic support to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The group includes school, college and university teachers from various parts of the country.

It was jointly sponsored by the Chinese Embassy and China Culture Centre in Islamabad and Beijing Language and Culture University. At the saw-off ceremony held at the embassy, Chinese ambassador’s wife Madam Bao Jiqing hoped that the visiting teachers would be a source of inspirations for continuation of their deeprooted friendly relations from generation to generation.

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and Executive Director of National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Zulfiqar Cheema were also present on the occasion who thanked Madam Bao for her initiative and encouragement in arranging such visits to strengthen bonds of friendship.

Madam Bao briefed the teachers’ delegation about the program and purpose of the visit, hoping they will act as ambassador of Pakistan to generate further goodwill among the people of two countries. Language is the bridge between the people, stating that she herself has been a language teacher at Foreign Affairs University for over ten years, teaching English.

She noted that there has been more and more demand of Pakistani students for learning Chinese language with the progress of CPEC. The demand for the Chinese language teachers also goes up, and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has been promoting Chinese language teachers’ training and encouraging not only short-term training but also degree study in China.

Madam Bao spoke about the growing Sino-Pak friendship, stating they are dear friends, trusted partners, good neighbours and iron brothers, weathering all the storms together and sharing all the weal and woe. China and Pakistan, she said achieve fruitfully all-round co-operations in the fields of economy, trade, culture and people to people exchanges.

The CPEC, she said is a big development in the bilateral relations, that will open numerous opportunities for socio-economic development, including news jobs and business linkages.

Madam Bao Jiqing said a good number of Pakistani students were being sent to China every year, hoping on their return home they will contribute to CPEC. A representative of teachers and students Itrat Haider expressed heartfelt thanks to Madam Bao for her sincere desire to work in collaboration with Pakistan to promote quality education in the both countries by introducing Chinese language at a vast level.

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August 2, 2016 Tue All Day

PROJECTS WORTH US$10BN UNDER CPEC ALREADY HIT GROUND -- The News

ISLAMABAD: Out of US$46 billion under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, projects worth more than US$ 10 billion had already hit the ground, while remaining schemes were in advanced stages of the pipeline.

The remaining projects amounting to US$ 36 billion would soon be launched, according to a senior official in the ministry of planning, development and reforms here on Tuesday.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping during his visit to Pakistan in April last year, signed several memorandum of understandings and so far a huge amount of US$ 10 billion had been invested in Pakistan, he added.

He said, a CPEC summit would be held on August 29 in the Federal Capital to further enhance business to business cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

He said, the Chinese companies were also working on two mega projects including Thakot-Havailian section of Karrakurm Highway (KKH) and Sukkur-Multan section of Lahore-Karachi motorway at a cost of US$ 3 billion.

Gwadar would be connected with Quetta in December this year while D.I. Khan to Burhan section of the road would be completed in June 2018.

Energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar airport projects were being completed under CPEC framework.

The construction work on various projects of various sections of Western route were being completed as per timeline to operationalize it at the earliest.

Work on Port Qasim Power Plant, Thar Power Plant, HUBCO coal Project, Sahiwal Power Plant and other hydro power projects was on track and these would be completed as per the schedule.

The fast track work on these projects would help tackle energy crisis and power needs of industrial zones in future under CPEC. According to a senior official of the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, as many as five new projects, in addition to 30 infrastructure and energy projects being completed by the Chinese companies in Pakistan, would be launched under CPEC initiative this year.

"Eight coal, solar, wind and hydro-power energy projects are already under construction to meet the energy requirement of Pakistan," added.

He said, prior to signing of CPEC between China and Pakistan in 2013, China was at number 16 in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan, adding, now China is largest investor in Pakistan after initiating multi-billion dollars project under the CPEC framework.

He said, this project would not only change the life of people of Pakistan in days to come but also prove beneficial for the whole region.

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August 5, 2016 Fri All Day

CPEC is a gift to me from China, Nawaz told lawmakers -- Daily Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has told lawmakers that the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project is a gift from China to him.

Chairing the meeting of his party members, the primer vowed that CPEC is a gift to him, implying that there would have been no CPEC without the incumbent PML-N government.

PM Nawaz also shared the achievements of his current stint and assured his party officials that the government would bag even more success in the coming days. He asserted that party officials should not fear for upcoming elections as PML-N would achieve much to launch the election campaign.

Reportedly, the Prime minister took aim at his political foes mainly PTI chief Imran khan for his politics of agitation. Nawaz Sharif blamed him for spoiling the visit of Chinese President in 2014 due to sit in.

During the meeting, some of his party members showed resentment over the lack of availability of ministers and slow pace of development projects in their constituencies.

An interesting incident also happened during the meeting when an MNA, Asad Ur Rehman (Brother of former Supreme Court Judge Khalil Ur Rehman Ramday), tried to take the mic but was refused. He expressed that the premier should hold these type of interactions more often.

Later, talking to a local television, Asad Ur Rehman quipped: “I just said if you {PM} keep meeting us, you will not get sick, which annoyed him”

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PARTNERSHIP IN SCIENCE, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT CRITICAL FOR CPEC SUCCESS -- BR

Thursday, 04 August 2016 00:29 Posted by Fawad Maqsood E-mail Print PDF Views: 52 imageISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that scientific collaboration and sharing of Knowledge, research and ideas between Pakistan and China is critical for success of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and further boost the historic bilateral cordial relations.

The Minister proposed that we need to undertake joint projects for studying mountains and coastal areas of Pakistan, said in statement issued by Ministry of Planing, Development and Reforms here on Wednesday.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Chinese delegation of Academy of Sciences to have partnership in research on natural hazards like landslides, floods, debris flows and earthquake between Pakistan and China under CPEC. While mentioning agreement between Pakistan and China in space technology, he said that bilateral cooperation between the two countries in space domain would open new vistas of socio- economic and scientific cooperation.

The Minister directed Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Higher Education Commission to co-operate with the Chinese Science Academy and organize joint workshops on scientific research under CPEC. Ahsan Iqbal said. "CPEC will take this friendship higher than Himalayas to higher than stars."

He said that Cooperation between China and Pakistan is not an ordinary one but we also have iron brothers relations.

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August 5, 2016 Continued Fri He said that we need to develop a very comprehensive roadmap of cooperation in science and technology sectors between Pakistan and China.

The Minister said that cooperation between Pakistan and China is materializing in the form of solid projects which will add new colors in our friendship.

He said that regional and economic integration is very significant for the success of the CPEC projects.

He said that the success of CPEC depends on business to business and people to people contacts of both the countries.

CPEC project is the fusion of Pakistan Vision 2025 and China One belt One Road Vision which will benefit 3 billion people of the region, he added.

The Minister said that CPEC offers a broad partnership in different areas between the two countries.

There is a need to learn from the development of China, and "We should adopt its model of development how it successfully blended stability, development and reforms," he said.

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August 9, 2016 Tue All Day

Marketing CPEC: Summit, expo planned to woo investors -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform is organising a one-day summit and expo to mark the signing of $46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) programme.

The event will be held on August 29 at the Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad. It is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and will be attended by a large number of local and foreign dignitaries as well as investors, say officials responsible for organising the event.

ADB to invest in CPEC, Gwadar city projects Its objective is to motivate and attract more and more investors to pour capital into Pakistan and help boost the national economy. It will also provide a platform for exchanging ideas and open new avenues for increasing business, trade and tourism.

The CPEC is a collection of energy and infrastructure projects that are intended to strengthen and deepen economic links between Pakistan and China. Of the total $46-billion investment, $35 billion has been allocated for energy projects and $11 billion for infrastructure schemes.

So far, none of the energy projects have been completed and are at various stages of implementation. However, five projects of NHA has been completed so far.

Gwadar port to be operational by 2017: Chinese official The projects have been split into two categories – priority and actively promoted.

The schemes that come under the priority category are planned to be completed by 2018 and those under the title of actively promoted will be completed by 2025.

“The Ministry of Planning has asked relevant ministries, institutions, academia and private businesses to showcase their achievements before the visitors and guests at the upcoming expo,” an official said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, National Highway Authority (NHA) spokesman Kashif Zaman said being a major stakeholder in the CPEC, the NHA would actively take part in the summit and expo.

ADB to invest in CPEC, Gwadar city projects He said some of the major CPEC projects, which were under construction, would be completed in the next two to three years. These included 393km Sukkur-Multan motorway (M5) costing Rs281 billion, 59km Hasanabdal-Havelian motorway costing Rs34 billion, 120km Havelian-Thakot motorway costing Rs133 billion, 281km HaklaDI Khan motorway (western corridor) costing Rs122 billion, 62km Gojra-Shorkot motorway (M4) worth Rs21 billion and 62km Lahore-Abdul Hakim (Multan) motorway worth Rs148 billion.

Zaman said the Rs163 billion ($1.7 billion) Hyderabad-Sukkur (M-6) section of the Karachi-Lahore motorway still needed an investor. “Hopefully, this expo and summit will help to find the interested investor,” he said.

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August 10, 2016 Wed All Day

Ahsan says Pak, China committed to make CPEC reality -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a reality, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said on Wednesday said that both Pakistan and China were committed to materialise the dream of an economic corridor at any cost which was beneficial for both the countries, as well as the entire region and the world.

While talking to the media after delivering a key-note address at the PakistanAfghanistan CARs Trade Summit (PACTS) he said, “The ghastly incidents like Quetta blast cannot reverse or delay this important initiative taken by Pak-China leadership. The enemies would be defeated.”

He said that the development work was in progress at a fast pace. He added that there would be no role back or delay in its implementation. He also pointed out that the rapid pace of work on the projects under CPEC had been acknowledged by the Chinese experts as the pace of development was faster than the projects in China.

Responding to a question about the involvement of India’s RAW in the Quetta blast, he said, “The investigation into the incident is under progress and those involved in this heinous crime will be brought to justice.”

He also said that there was a need to be more vigilant and alert after this incident, adding, “We have to create unity among our ranks to frustrate such conspiracies.”

He said, “We should not be discouraged after Quetta incident as our enemies may make more such attempts but these incidents strengthen our resolve to get rid of the menace of terrorism.”

He said, “We are in the state of war and we have to foster internal unity to completely defeat terrorism.” He said that Pakistan would emerge as the fastest growing economy after defeating the militants.

The minister said that CPEC had drawn the attention of the world community towards Pakistan. He added that this project would not only connect Pakistan and China but also would provide connectivity between China and Central Asia and beyond this region.

He said that Asia would be the hub of the future economic growth as China, Central Asia and South Asia were considered engines of economic growth. About the importance of Gwadar Port, he said, it was important for landlocked countries of Central Asia which were interest to set up cold storages and processing zones for their products in this city.

He said, “Our future generations would reap the fruit of better economic growth and foreign direct investment in the country.” He added that Pakistan was rising and no one would be allowed to create hindrance in the way of development and progress.

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CPEC gateway to prosperity: Shahbaz -- The News

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while terming the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a gateway to prosperity for the country, has said any opposition to the mega project was in fact opposition to Pakistan.

He was speaking at the Jang Media Group’s event titled “Breakfast with Jang” and “Pakistan China Economic Opportunities” here on Tuesday. The event started with Fateha for the Quetta martyrs and prayers for the early recovery of those injured in the incident.

Shahbaz condemned terrorism and said the entire nation was united to eliminate this menace forever, adding that prosperity was not possible without fighting terrorism. He linked economic and religious divides to growing extremism and said: “We need to bridge these divides.”

On various occasions, the chief minister became emotional and said the CPEC 1841

August 10, 2016 Continued Wed continuity was important whether one party or the other was in power. “Pakistan is now on the road to recovery,” Shahbaz said while lamenting the indifferent attitude of successive governments vis-à-vis issues of vital national interests, especially the energy crisis. The energy deficit would now largely be met by the next year or by 2018, he said, adding that the fast work on energy projects in Punjab under the CPEC was also being acknowledged by the Chinese leadership. “Punjab’s speed is Pakistan’s speed,” he said and added: “The credit goes to entire Pakistan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and not to me.” He said the military hierarchy was also providing full support in this context.

He said: “We should work with dedication for the CPEC success as such opportunities are not there always. This project will in fact empower and prosper the common man.” he said and added: “The external elements will try to sabotage this project.” He said the $46 billion CPEC project was not the Chinese investment but the spirit of generosity for the people of Pakistan. “For God’s sake, don’t disrupt the CPEC. God forbid, if we fail to complete this mega project, the coming generations will curse us. We need to cash this wonderful opportunity,” he said.

Lauding the Chinese leadership, Shahbaz said many world powers were interested in the development of Gwadar and questioned why no one except China came forward. About transparency in CPEC projects in Punjab, he said: “If anybody proves corruption of a single penny, I will go home.” He said the government-togovernment projects were always exempted from the tendering process in Pakistan but the Orange Line Metro Train Project under the CPEC was the only project in the 65 years history of the country for which tendering took place. “Also we were able to save a whopping Rs 80 billion after negotiation with the lowest bidder.”

This negotiation could have been avoided as the lowest bidder had already got the project as per the law but “still we did our best to save as much as we could”, he said, adding that the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant would be completed in a record time and would start adding 1320 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by the next year.

He said the same project in India was completed in four years while China completed it in 24 months. “We will, Insha’Allah, complete our project in 23 months.”

He said apart from the CPEC, the government was working on 3,600 megawatts power projects. “I have asked the prime minister to start other power projects too,” he said, adding that it’s good not to put all eggs in one basket.

A candid question-answer session was also held in the end in which the general public registered for the event raisedvarious questions. To a question by a foreign journalist, Shahbaz said the CPEC was a federal project and all departments were playing their role in it. Explaining as to how the public money was wasted in the country, he said the Neelum-Jhelum project was started under Gen Musharraf’s regime in 2005, but it was still incomplete. He also explained as to how a Sindh minister kept the file of the Nandipur Power Project for years and the project hit a snag for petty personal interests. He regretted no one staged sit-in over these issues but he (Shahbaz Sharif) was criticized when he sat at the Minar-e-Pakistan ground in protest against energy crisis.

He said Punjab’s share in CPEC energy projects was the lowest as compared to other provinces while Sindh’s was highest, but he was happy that the mega project was for the good of the entire country. “After all every megawatt produced will go to the national grid.”

To a question on the role of IT in governance, the chief minister lauded the services of Dr Umar Saif, chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), and said he would float the idea of Digital Pakistan to the prime minister.

Acknowledging the presence of some foreigners at the event, he remained bilingual, swiftly shifting between Urdu and English. Earlier, the event host - Sikandar Lodhi - and Jang Group's Sarmad Ali thanked the chief minister for sparing time to speak on an important subject. In the end, the chief minister awarded shields to the event organisers.

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August 10, 2016 Continued Wed

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August 11, 2016 Thu All Day

CPEC TO CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BALOCH YOUTH -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Jam Kamal Khan has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would create employment opportunities and help alleviate poverty in remote areas of Balochistan province.

This project would not only promote trade and commerce from Gwadar to Kashgar but also ensure basic infrastructure including roads, electricity and energy projects in the province, he said in a statement.

The Minister said, the infrastructure development being carried out under CPEC project would greatly benefit people of Balochistan and create development opportunities there.

He said, the US $46 billion CPEC project has great importance for the province, the government has devised comprehensive strategy in all the sectors to provide its benefit at the grass root level.

Jam Kamal said, Balochistan province is full of the mineral resources and after the 18th amendment, the mineral sector has come under the administrative control of provincial government.

He said, there is a need to utilize mineral resources for the benefit of the province and its people.

He opined that CPEC and industrial development in Gwadar would also benefit the local people.

The Minister called upon the local youth to get professional training and skills as there are tremendous job opportunities for the skilled youth of the province.

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August 13, 2016 Sat All Day

Gwadar to have university -- BR

Sir: Government has taken an appreciable step to construct a university at Gwadar city. The establishment of a university is a great opportunity for the residents of the city and its adjoining areas. It is a great opportunity for the students of Gwadar to get a proper education in their city since earlier they were compelled to go for higher education to cities like Lahore, Islamabad, or Karachi. However, the decision of the provincial government provides them ample opportunities to carry out their study within the city.

Similarly, a reading culture would develop among its residents too. According to a print media report, the construction of the university is being fast-tracked, and it will be able to start the first batch in the coming fall.

We request the government to complete the construction as soon as possible.

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August 17, 2016 Wed All Day

CPEC to open new roads to progress in Balochistan: Ahsan Iqbal -Dunya News

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Chaudhry Ahsan Iqbal has on Tuesday said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will open new roads to progress in Balochistan, reported Dunya News.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of academic block in Balochistan University, Ahsan Iqbal told the students that the CPEC will help make up for the injustices that Balochistan has always been subject to. He added that the construction of the western route of CPEC and Balochistan-Peshawar train service will change the lives of Baloch people.

Ahsan Iqbal added that the injustices with Balochistan were national crimes and that this project will open new roads to progress for the province.

However, Balochistan students expressed their concerns, saying that the claims of progress in Balochistan are pointless because the real development demanded practical steps.

Despite the concerns, the economic experts believe that CPEC project would not only help Balochistan but would prove a game-changer for the entire province.

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Pak to host 3rd CPEC/Silk Road Forum next year -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—The Silk Road/CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) Forum will have its 3rd international conference in Islamabad in August 2017. According to Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Pakistan had a representation of over 50 people delegation in Silk Road Forum held in Karamay, Chinese sister city of Gwadar.

The MoUs worth over 10 billion dollars were signed in Karamay amongst institutions and companies of Pakistan, China, Iran and Kazakhstan.

The second Silk Road Forum was organized by the international think tank, Research and Development International (RDI), in cooperation with the central government of China and the provincial government of Xinjiang, unanimously decided to hold the 3rd forum in Pakistan because CPEC is the pilot and flagship project of the One Belt, One Road initiative of President Xi Jinping.

This time, the forum at Karamay also had representatives from Iran and Kazakhstan who expressed strong interest in participating in CPEC. Unanimous decision by these countries was a vote of confidence in Pakistan and its future role as the flagship and the pilot project of the One Belt, One Road through the CPEC, which will drive economic development in Pakistan and the region and unite the federation of Pakistan by bringing prosperity and progress to less developed regions of Pakistan particularly Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

CPEC/Silk Forum, to be held in Islamabad in 2017 to consult all the stakeholders including the federal government, provincial governments, private sector as well as all relevant stakeholders for holding what will probably be the biggest and the most important conference on CPEC and Silk Road to be held in Pakistan.

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August 18, 2016 Thu All Day

Chinese team reviews Gwadar progress -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: A 10-member Chinese delegation headed by a senior government official visited Gwadar and reviewed progress on various ongoing projects. The delegation visited the Gwadar Port, Gwadar Expressway, Free Zone, Pak-China Friendship Primary School, Faqeer colony and some other projects related to the development of the city.

Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Dostain Khan Jamaldini and Balochistan’s Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Development Muhammad Dawood Baraich briefed the Chinese delegation about the pace of work on the projects.

China irked by delay in Gwadar project The delegation was informed that the completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the functioning of Gwadar port would bring about a positive economic impact not only on Pakistan but the entire region.

The implementation of mega projects including construction of Expressway and Gwadar International Airport would be initiated with Pak-China cooperation this year. The delegation was told that Pak-China cooperation would bring about economic revolution in the region including Pakistan.

ADB to invest in CPEC, Gwadar city projects Speaking to the delegation at the occasion, Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Director General said that the authority was implementing several development projects in Gwadar out of which a number of projects including GDA Hospital, GD School had been completed.

The delegation was also briefed about the Gwadar master plan.

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Pak Railways poised to get massive funding from CPEC and CAREC -Pakistan Today

After decades of neglect, a silver lining is on the horizon for Pakistan Railways as it may be able to attract multi-billion dollar investment for the upgradation as well as deployment of new railway infrastructure across the country under two regional economic unions, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), to link Central Asia and China with Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar.

An official source said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has started the process to assess the financial needs for upgradation of 461 km main line (ML-1) between Lahore and Peshawar, under its CAREC Railway Connectivity Investment Programme. The financing is likely to start flowing form next year.

The Ministry of Railways has already shared plans, under early harvest projects by 2020, to upgrade Karachi-Peshawar main line (ML-1) and extension of ML-2 from Jacobabad to Gwadar via Basima to both CAREC and CPEC. If financing was available, the projects would be completed in relatively short time as the Pakistan Railways has technical expertise to execute the projects, he added.

ADB will be providing multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) to make the railway system more efficient and competitive. Improved railway corridor of LahorePeshawar will improve Pakistan Railways’ institutional efficiency. Financial assistance will also be provided for Railways’ modernization, IT-based accounting system and transforming and migrating accounting data into the new accounting system.

Under the plan, 411 km railway track between Lahore-Peshawar section of ML-1 will be upgraded and dualised together with new signaling and telecommunications system, including power supply for these systems, and upgraded passenger facilities at Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar stations. A 53-km section in the hilly area from Kaluwal to Pindora will have to be realigned and dualised. Except for 1847

August 18, 2016 Continued Thu realignment sections in the hilly tract, it is likely that all the work for rehabilitation and upgradation of the physical infrastructure will be limited to the PR-owned right of way.

Except for Pakistan, railways in all CAREC countries have more freight carriers than passenger tariff. CAREC railways have increased freight traffic volumes which shows the large potential for PR to freight forward to and from CAREC countries.

Domestic market is large in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China.

In the past, the railways infrastructure plans always received a cold shoulder from the government, but now the situation has changed as multilateral institutions are interested in linking Pakistani ports with China and Central Asia. Now the government wants to attract investment in railways infrastructure and China is asked to finance upgradation of strategically located ML-1 which connects major population centers in three provinces.

Under CPEC, Pakistan has shared Phase-I (Early Harvest Projects) upgradation of ML-1 (Karachi-Peshawar and Taxila to Havelian) and construction of New Dryport at Havelian (Buldher). In medium term, Phase-II upgradation of ML-2 and extension of ML-2 (Gwadar to Jacobabad via Basima) is proposed. The long term Phase-III seeks establishment of Havelian-Khunjrab-Kashghar rail link.

The source said Pakistan has shared plans to link the Gwadar port Kandahar, Kabul and Dushanbe. The second plan is to link Gwadar with Quetta and onwards to China. He said Pakistan Railways has prepared plans on rail link between Gwadar port and Mastung, Chaman to Kandahar rail link and rail lines between Kandahar and the Tajik border are also planned.

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August 19, 2016 Fri All Day

PAK-CHINA CHAMBER URGES MEDIA TO HIGHLIGHT CPEC IMPORTANCE -- APP LAHORE: The media and academics should play a positive and active role in highlighting the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan and to reject misleading propaganda against it.

Shah Faisal Afridi, president, Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), said this in a statement here on Friday.

He said that CPEC could be a fate-changer. "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a centre of attention for the people, but unfortunately the enemies do not want to see it successful," he added.

Afridi said Pakistan is handling the security challenges not only at home but also playing its role for regional stability.

Faisal Afridi said that the authorities concerned have raised a special security division for CPEC. Its security would always remain a top priority of the country, he added. He pointed out that Pakistan has given a strong message to the enemy that the country is determined to implement each and every project under the umbrella of CPEC and would tackle all challenges in this regard.

Afridi was confident that personnel of the security division were vigilant enough to thwart designs of the enemies.

He said that under CPEC, Pakistan and China had proposed 29 industrial parks and 21 mineral zones across the country, which would enable Pakistan to increase its production.

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August 22, 2016 Mon All Day

CPEC to add 10,000MW electricity to national grid by 2018: Ahsan -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal has said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would add 10,000-megawatt electricity in national grid till 2018.

The CPEC is a national mega project and would further strengthen the economy. A national consensus was evolved on the corridor as it would bring economic revolution and provide equal benefits to all the provinces, he said talking to staterun TV channel.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of CPEC was signed in 2013, but was delayed due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) sit-in in the country. It was properly launched in April 2015.

Ahsan Iqbal said the paper work was converted into reality as China was investing $46 billion through CPEC out of which $35 billion would be spent in energy sector through private investor and the Pakistan government would purchase low cost electricity from private investor to meet the growing demand.

Some 1,320MW electricity would be produce through Karachi port, he added.

He said, “We are focusing to update Gwadar, overcome energy crisis and building the infrastructure to improve connectivity between Pakistan and China.”

The minister said the roads from Gwadar to Khuzdar via Ratodero would be constructed in accordance to National Highway Plan (NHP). One industrial zone would be established in each province to acquire equal benefits from the zones.

He said free trade zones would be set up in Gwadar on 2,000 acre and Gwadar International Airport would be constructed in upcoming two years.

Multan-Sukkur highway was also part of CPEC that would be completed in 2018, he added.

Ahsan Iqbal said there was immense improvement in economy, law & order and energy issues. The country was moving in a right path of development.

He said there was massive investment in the country through CPEC. The world acknowledged that Pakistan was a emerging economy of the country. The security of CPEC was handed over to Pakistan army and civil government was monitoring the corridor under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was enjoying state-to-state relations with China, who always played a pivotal role to strengthen Pakistan’s economy.

He said Pakistan wanted good cordial relations with all countries.—APP

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PROJECTS WORTH US$18BN UNDER CPEC BEING COMPLETED: AHSAN IQBAL -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms,Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that out of US$ 46 billion projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), projects worth US$ 18 billion had already hit the ground while US$ 17 billion were in the pipeline.

Talking to press attaches to be posted abroad, he said, the CPEC framework had been turned from a piece of paper into an investment of US$ 46 billion.

He said, the CPEC initiative would not only benefit China and Pakistan but it would be beneficial for the entire region.

Ahsan Iqbal said, the CPEC was not mere a road network but it was a complete framework, adding, it was the fusion of the vision of Pak-China leadership.

He said, those initiating propaganda campaign against this vital project would miserably failed.

He said, there was a need to further improve positive image of Pakistan among the world's nations.

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August 23, 2016 Tue All Day

CPEC projects worth $17b in pipeline: Ahsan -- The Nations

Islamabad - Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that out of total $46 billion worth CPEC projects, projects worth $18 billion had already hit the ground while $17 billion were in the pipeline.

Talking to the Press Officers appointed in different countries here at his ministry, the minister emphasised promotion of country’s positive image.

He added that brand Pakistan was all about portraying positive image of the country to the world. “We need to highlight the strengths of our country,” he asserted. He told the officers that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not just a road network, but a framework for co-operation, which consisted of industrial zones.

“It is not a bilateral project but a regional project, which will benefit 3 billion people of the region,” Ahsan said, and added, “CPEC is a fusion of Pakistan Vision 2025 and China One Belt One Road Vision, and it is not a security project but an economic one.”

About changes in the western route, he said that misconceptions were based on misunderstanding as there was no route agreement between Pakistan and China prior to 2013. He further added that Gwadar-Quetta route would be completed by December 2016 while Gwadar -Khuzdar -Ratodero road would also be completed on a stipulated time.

The minister said that parts of the LahoreKarachi Motorway, namely from Havalian to Thakot and Multan to Sukkur, were being completed at a fast pace.

“The road from Burhan to DI Khan would be completed by June 2018,” he informed.

He further said that there would be one industrial zone in every province in order to ensure equal distribution of benefits among all provinces.

Ahsan said that different energy projects, under the CPEC, would help overcome energy crisis by 2018 as $35 billion would be spent on energy sector through private investment.

He also informed that Gwadar Airport and Eastbay Expressway, also in Gwadar, were in advanced stages and there groundbreaking would be within couple of months.

The minister said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on CPEC in 2013 had been converted into $46 billion investment within one year.

“This is a record in PML-N’s history of translating MOUs into reality,” he concluded.

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August 25, 2016 Thu All Day

Punjab-China accord for kidney, liver transplant -- Nations

LAHORE - A memorandum of understanding was signed between Punjab government and Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China at Model Town yesterday.

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was the chief guest while Chinese Consul General Yu Borne and the head of Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China and his team also attended the function.

Under the agreement, the Chinese institution will extend cooperation in the project of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute Lahore and treatment of liver diseases.

The Chinese institution will also share its experiences and skills with Punjab government as well as cooperate in training of doctors, nurses, technicians, transplant coordinators and other staff in the treatment of liver diseases.

Specialized Health and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah and head of Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China Prof. Zhu Zhi Jun signed the documents.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM welcomed the agreement and said that its implementation will help transfer of expertise and technology of the Chinese medical institution to Punjab.

He said China is a close friend of Pakistan and helped it in every hour of need. He said that the visit of the head of Chinese institution and specialists in the treatment of liver diseases for the accord is proof of the friendship.

Shehbaz said that Punjab government is setting a unique project of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute in the provincial metropolis where modern treatment facilities will be available to kidney and liver patients.

He said that cooperation of Chinese institution in the implementation of this public welfare project of great importance will be welcomed. The Chief Minister said that during his visit to China, he had gone to Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China and talked about cooperation.

He said that the arrival of the Chinese team soon after his visit and signing of the agreement is a milestone in Pak-China friendship. He said that Chinese institution has expertise in the treatment of liver diseases and Punjab government will benefit from it in the implementation of Pakistan Kidney AND Liver Transplant Institute in Lahore.

He also welcomed doctors and team of experts of Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China in Lahore. The Chinese medical experts will also visit Sheikh Zayed Hospital and supervise liver transplant process. Shehbaz said the government has signed agreement for a great project of public importance and it is hoped that opponents will not go to the court like the other projects. He also congratulated Punjab government, Advisor on Health, Chief Secretary and his team over the agreements with Chinese institution.

Prof Zhu Zhi Jun said that all-out cooperation will be extended for setting up of liver hospital and treatment of patients suffering from liver diseases with the experiences and technical skills will also be shared with Punjab government.

He said that China and Pakistan are Iron Brothers and the friendship between the two countries is unprecedented. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said that due to successful visit of Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to China, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Liver Transplant Center Beijing Friendship Hospital China and Punjab government.

He said that under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, work is being carried out 1852

August 25, 2016 Continued Thu expeditiously on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. He said that China and Pakistan are not only great friends but also great partners and there is relationship of deep love and respect between the people of two countries.

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August 26, 2016 Fri All Day

Pakistan supports China’s stance: Aziz -- Aaj TV

This was stated by Adviser to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz at a joint sitting of Senate Standing Committees on Defence and Foreign Affairs, presided over by Senators Nuzhat Sadiq and Mushahid Hussain Sayed here on Thursday.

Sartaj Aziz also said that border management with Afghanistan is necessary to stop illegal border crossings. “Pakistan supports China’s stance on the South China Sea dispute,” he said.

He said the US is supporting Pakistan in border management with Afghanistan, adding border management is in favour of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“We’re ensuring facilities for border crossings with valid travel documents, so that no one can cross the border without valid travel documents,” he added.

He said there are several groups of Taliban in Afghanistan, of which some want talks while some of them are not ready to come to the negotiation table.

Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistan fully supports reconciliation process in Afghanistan towards peace in the region.

He said peaceful negotiations with Taliban and the Haqqani network are the only solution in Afghanistan, adding thousands of people cross Pak-Afghan border at Torkham and Chaman border points daily.

He said Pakistan established the gate along Afghan border on its land to check illegal crossings. He said that work on four major crossing points is under way, for which Pakistan has also talked to the Afghan government.

“Pakistan believes that there is a need for a more unified and coherent messaging from Afghanistan in favour of peace and they [Afghanistan] should seriously give a message to Taliban for talks,” Chaudhary said.

The Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhary said Afghanistan should give a unified and coherent message for peace and reconciliation with Taliban as military offensive is no solution to the problem.

The officials of the Defence Ministry informed the meeting that Pakistan will build all the crossing points as the World Bank has agreed to provide funds for its construction.

They officials said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed for strengthening Pakistan’s relations with Russia.

The government is also trying to improve our strategic relations with North and South Koreas. Secretary Defence told the meeting that we have 2600 kilometerslong porous border with Afghanistan and maximum work on Torkham Border management has been completed.

The meeting discussed the situation arising out of the drone strike against Mullah Mansour and the impact on the Pak-US security relations. -Business Recorder

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August 29, 2016 Mon All Day

Pakistan, China enjoy excellent ties: PM -- Nations

Islamabad, August 29 (Online): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the most important economic initiative for South Asia in the 21st century that will benefit the entire region.

Addressing the inaugural session of CPEC Summit at ‘Pak-China Friendship Centre’ today, the prime minister said that by working together we can bring peace and stability in the region through economic development for our people.

“Our region has witnessed a lot of conflict and deprivation in the past. Time has come to turn a new leaf in the history of the region by bringing peace and prosperity, and addressing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment”, he added.

Nawaz said that CPEC is a new concept and approach in development based on shared goals and aspirations.

He said CPEC is not merely a strategic agreement between the two countries but a culmination of decade’s long brotherhood, friendship and cooperation.

Nawaz said this is the latest in the history of cooperation in all areas of bilateral and global importance. He said Pakistan and China have been together through thick and thin. He referred to the remarks of the Chinese President that Islamabad stood

by Beijing at a time when it was isolated on the world stage and said that Pakistan can never forget the friendly gestures of China in developing a cooperative relationship during difficult periods.

The Prime Minister said that with the initial investment of 46 billion dollars, CPEC will become a unique model of economic development as well as a pioneering method of international economic cooperation. He said that 46 billion dollars is the economic value but the overall contribution and impact of CPEC would be much deeper and far-reaching.

He said CPEC will not only create a strong overland link between Pakistan and China but also give us the opportunity to strengthen Pakistan's own inland transportation and logistics infrastructure. More than ten billion dollars will be spent on railway projects as well as rail infrastructure in Pakistan.

Similarly, CPEC will be addressing Pakistan's energy crisis as projects worth 35 billion dollars are envisaged in Pakistan in the energy sector.

He said the CPEC project will prove to be a game changer not only for Pakistan but the entire region.

Nawaz also said that Pakistan and China will jointly send a satellite in 2018.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan will generate 10,400MW of energy through early harvesting of projects, most of which are to be completed by 2018 and others by 2020.

He appreciated the services of Chinese Ambassador, Sun Weidong for further cementing bilateral relations between the two countries in diverse fields.

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September 4, 2016 Sun All Day

Pakistan eyeing to be gateway to Oman and China: Sartaj Aziz -- Daily Times

MUSCAT: Pakistan is eyeing to be the gateway to Oman and China as ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) gains momentum, said Sartaj Aziz, advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan on Foreign Affairs in Muscat.

Aziz who is on a two-day bilateral visit to Oman, was addressing the Pakistani community in Oman at Pakistan School Muscat.

“The strategic location of Gwadar port city on the coast of Balochistan, will help Oman explore opportunities in western China. Oman's close proximity to Gwadar will benefit the country as CPEC progresses. Oman is building new refineries and even if ten per cent oil is exported it would benefit Oman. It would also help Oman identify various economic opportunities,” said Sartaj Aziz.

“We share cordial relationship with Oman and would like to strengthen it further by intensifying cooperation in social, political, trade, manpower, defence and security issues. Our current trade volume with Oman stands at US$400mn and we hope to increase it by securing more long-term collaborations in various sectors” Sartaj Aziz said.

This is the first high-profile bilateral visit from Pakistan to Oman in ten years.

Aziz said that the country has suffered from terrorism in the past which left its economy crippled. But the situation has improved. ”Terror attacks have gone down by almost 70 per cent. We have been successful in breaking major terrorism networks and have turned the corner. A lot of work is being done to combat terrorism. Our growth rate fell to three per cent in the previous years as a consequence of terrorism in the country. This year the numbers have climbed to 4.7 per cent and we hope to take it till about 5 per cent in the next year. The faith in the economy is restored.”

Aziz will be meeting a number of Omani officials and will also attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Pakistan embassy at the Diplomatic Enclave Muscat.

The budget for the embassy, US$5mn, has been approved by the Pakistani government. The embassy is expected to be completed within two years.

Aziz said there are close to 250,000 Pakistanis in Oman and they remit US$820mn.

However, the per capita remittance from Oman is higher as the majority of Pakistani expatriates here are professionals. However, there are 2mn Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and their annual remittance amounts to US$4bn, which is the highest by Pakistani expatriates in any country.

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September 6, 2016 Tue All Day

Pak-China in talks to have LNG terminal at Gwadar -- Pak Observer

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Pak-China optic fiber cable project to be completed by June 2018 -- APP

Islamabad—The experts from China and Pakistan are currently in hectic talks for installing the LNG terminal at Gwadar for 600 MMCFD (million cubic feet gas per day which will be built on government to government basis with the hope that the project will be completed at the cost of $250-300 million.

The crucial talks with Chinese officials erecting LNG terminal for the last three days are underway with the hope that the cost of terminal would be finalized at $250 million.

The same company that is to lay down the 700 kilometer LNG pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah will also construct the LNG terminal. The LNG pipeline will be constructed at the cost of $1.353 billion.

Now the Price Negotiating Committee is engaged with Chinese experts on the cost of LNG terminal. The Pakistan side wants the cost of LNG terminal should be at $250 million.

If it is finalised at the cost desired by Pakistan, then the whole cost of LNG pipeline and LNG terminal will stand at $1.6 billion.

China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB)—subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) will set up the LNG terminal.

China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau is the same company that is to lay down the 700 kilometre Gwadar-Nawabshah pipeline.

The project will be materialised with the loan at 2 per cent interest for 20 years long period to be arranged from China EXIM bank by the China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau.

To a question, the official said that the cost of $1.6 billion of both (pipeline and LNG terminal) has been worked out without taxes and duties.

The official said that the ministry of petroleum and natural resources is trying from pillar to post to get the project included in CPEC projects list as the ministry wants the project be included in the property list of CPEC. Planning commission to this effect has taken up the issue with Chinese officials.

“In case, the project is not included in CPEC project, even then the ministry will ask the government to extend the exemption of taxes and duties and provision of special security to LNG pipeline and LNG terminal project as is being provided to all CPEC project,” the official added saying: “If the exemption of taxes and duties are granted, then the project’s cost of whole project would stay at $1.6 billion.”

ISLAMABAD – The 820-kilometer long Pak-China optic fiber cable project from Rawalpindi to Khunjrab would be completed at a cost of US$ 44 million by June 2018.

After completion of this important project of Information Technology (IT) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would convert trade corridor into digital corridor.

The project was being completed in collaboration between China’s Huawei and Special Communication Organization (SCO), Senior Project Manager, SCO, Muhammad Adil said.

He informed that this project would be beneficial for strategic link between both Pakistan and China.

This project would not only generate revenue but it would also the safest route of voice traffic between the two countries, he added.

Muhammad Adil said, the Pak-China fiber optic fiber cable would provide an alternate source for the world trade.

He hoped that awareness about trade, tourism and Information Technology (IT) would create economic opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

The foundation stone of the Pak-China optic fiber cable project was laid in May this year.

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September 6, 2016 Continued Tue Around 18.2 kilometers portion of the optic fiber cable would pass through federal capital, 466 kilometers from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 280 kilometers from Khyber Pakhtunkhaw (KPK), and 47 kilometers from Punjab.

The optical fiber cable would reach Rawalpindi from Khunjrab via Karimabad, Gilgit, Chilas, Babusar Top, Naran, Mansehra and Jery Kas. A project to expand the fiber cable up to Gawadar was in the final phase of approval which would provide an international linkage along the entire route of CPEC.

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September 8, 2016 Thu All Day

MoU signed to set up Pak businesses in China -- The Nations

Lahore - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) and Zhimakaimen Economic and Trading Industrial Zone Management Company Limited, China at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority’s (SMEDA) Head Office here on Wednesday.

APBF President Ibrahim Qureshi praised SMEDA for providing the platform to link the Chinese and Pakistani private sectors.

He also appreciated the offer from the Chinese side and said that APBF, a representative body of diverse businesses, including manufacturing, services and trades, would benefit from this collaboration.

He further said that Pakistani businessmen were keen to develop their businesses in China, but faced numerous challenges, which, he said, could be addressed through the support of SMEDA. The meeting held in this regard was jointly chaired by Dr Naeem Rauf, GM-Central Support and Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, GM-Outreach of SMEDA. Whereas, Huang, Director Planning of the Chinese Company and Sheharyar Tahir, Head External Relations Department of SMEDA, gave briefings on their respective organisations.

In the wake of opportunities emerging from the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), SMEDA, as a facilitator for the small and medium enterprises, has been playing an active role in identifying potential investment opportunities and developing linkages between the Chinese and Pakistan business sectors.

Huang, Director Planning, gave a detailed presentation on the Chinese group and shared that the Chinese group had been engaged in building large business hubs in major cities of China, and planned to build shopping complexes for the countries that are along the traditional Silk Road.

In light of the agreement signed, the company shall provide opportunities to Pakistani businesses and brands to open their shops and businesses in Jiaxing city, near Shanghai.

The Chinese side informed that there was a huge demand for Pakistani products in China and special packages would be offered to the Pakistani businesses, including free value-added services, to facilitate them in China.

Sheharyar Tahir, Head External Relations Directorate, elaborated on the role of SMEDA in bringing both sides together and assured the participants of SMEDA’s continued support for developing business-to-business linkages in the SME sector.

He hoped that the MoU signed between the two organisations would play an important role in bringing the business communities of both the countries closer and providing opportunities for enhancing trade.

National Board members from APBF and SMEDA General Managers M Alamgir Chaudhry, Dr Naeem Rauf and Nadia Jahangir Seth were also present on the occasion.

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September 10, 2016 Sat All Day

Speedy work on CPEC under way in Punjab, says Chinese diplomat -The News

Speedy work on CPEC under way in Punjab, says Chinese diplomat LAHORE: Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said on Friday Shahbaz Sharif was equally popular in the Chinese leadership and people as he was among the Pakistani masses. He said Shahbaz Sharif was a man of action and his vision for the uplift of the education sector was commendable. He said work was being carried out speedily on the CPEC projects in Punjab.

He was addressing a function held in connection with Chief Minister’s Chinese Language Scholarship Programme.He said that 300 megawatts solar power project at the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur, had been completed expeditiously.

Similarly, he said, 65 percent civil work of 1,320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal had been completed and this project would be completed in the middle of 2017. He said work was also in progress expeditiously on the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project and it was hoped that it would also be finished within the stipulated period. He said the names of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif would always be remembered for taking the Pak-China friendship to new heights.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that under the Punjab government’s vision of investing in future of the country, 50 male and frmale students were going abroad for PhD in the best universities as well as 130 students were leaving for China for learning the Chinese and they had been selected purely on merit and on account of eligibility.

He said these talented sons and daughters of the nation had got scholarships on the basis of their hard work and without any favouritism, collusion or bribe. He said these students on their return to Pakistan would play an active role in progress and prosperity of the country.

The chief minister congratulated the students going abroad for PhD and learning the Chinese language besides those who got outstanding marks in the 9th class examination. He gave laptops to students going to China for learning the Chinese and those going to leading universities of the world for PhD as well as to students getting more than 500 marks in the Class 9th examination. He said the first batch of 66 boys and girls was already learning the Chinese language in Beijing and the new batch of 130 students would soon leave for China for this purpose.

Similarly, he said, 33 students had been selected for PhDs in leading universities of the world, including Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial University, National University of Singapore and others. He said the expenditure being incurred by the Punjab government on these students was a useful investment for bright future of the nation. He said students who would return to Pakistan after learning the Chinese would serve as a bridge between Pakistan and China as students of other provinces of the country had also been included in this programme. He said in this way, the link between Beijing and Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi would strengthen and the process of national progress and prosperity will accelerate. He said these students would promote CPEC, which would stay forever and more investment of billions of dollars would be made in this project.

He said that CPEC was also a part of ‘One belt, one road’ programme of Chinese President Xi Jinping and while there was a huge support for his splendid vision, opposition to it had also intensified. He said there was lobbying against this project in a neighbouring country and for this reason a seaport was being built in front of Pakistan’s seaport. He said there was a collusion between India and some other countries against CPEC as they felt threatened by this project and the prime minister of India had spoken against Balochistan. He said he was sure that Pakistan would move ahead of India due to strengthening of its economy as a result of CPEC. The chief minister thanked Chinese Consul General Yu Boren for extending full cooperation in issuance of visas to students and stressed upon the students to 1860

September 10, 2016 Continued Sat utilise all their energies and abilities in learning the Chinese. He asked them to closely observe the progress made by China.

He said these students were ambassadors of Pakistan and they would have to prove this fact through their conduct and behaviour. He said work is in progress expeditiously on 1,320 megawatts coal power project in Sahiwal and this project will be completed by the middle of 2017.

Provincial Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, while addressing the function, said that opportunities of higher education had been made available to poor but talented students through the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education Dr Rauf Azam said Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had given instructions to send 500 students to China for learning the Chinese language. He said these students had been selected purely on merit and transparency.

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September 11, 2016 Sun All Day

Gwadar girls’ college -- Nations

All Day

Pakistan, China to jointly establish TVET institutes -- APP

Education plays a great role in the progression of a country.

I appreciate the commissioner of Gwadar, Tofail Baloch, for his support for the females of Gwadar.

The government girls’ college in Gwadar which remained closed for a long time, has finally reopened.

This has also helped the females living in adjoining areas who commute to Gwadar.

The situation can be further improved by establishing more educational institutions.

Hopefully the government will work towards this.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan in collaboration with China will establish state-of-the-art technical and vocational institutes at strategic nodes along with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route.

Talking to APP, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) Executive Director Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema said that China will boost cooperation with Pakistan in the technical and vocational sector and establish TVET institutes in Gilgit, Mansehra, DI Khan, Abbottabad, Quetta and Gwadar.

The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission as an advisory body to the federal government on TVET has taken vital initiatives to introduce reforms in the current technical and vocational system of Pakistan, he said.

Cheema said that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission has initiated some new steps, including establishment of Job Placement Center and introducing competency-based training across the country.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would open new vistas of prosperity and development and offers enormous employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan, he said.

The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission executive director said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a living reflection of a strong PakChina bond and it will serve geostrategic interests of the two countries.

Both the countries should enhance their collaboration to reboot the TVET system in Pakistan, he urged.

Skilled youth is the most powerful tool for poverty alleviation and can play an important role in the socioeconomic development of the country, he said.

China has extended its full cooperation in starting a teacher’s training programme, establishment of a research center at Islamabad and upgrading the existing labs equipment and institutes of Pakistan, he said.

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September 16, 2016 Fri All Day

CPEC Body members to visit Gwadar by month end -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—Members of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning and Development will visit Gwadar in the last week of this month to physically inspect the progress in implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

During the visit the Committee will review the progress of work on various projects being executed under the CPEC as well as the Public Sector Development Programme.

It will also receive a briefing from the federal and provincial authorities on the establishment of a university in Gwadar.

Gwadar is at the centre of the forty-six billion dollars CPEC project and more than one billion dollars worth of projects are to be developed around its port by the end of next year.

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September 17, 2016 Sat All Day

‘One window facilitation desk’: Gwadar airport facility for Ops -Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: The Gwadar Airport will have a `One Window Facilitation Desk’ by October this year to provide all necessary information to Overseas Pakistanis (OPs) before their departure to different countries, ensuring their safe travel. “The facilitation desk is being established on the directives of the Federal Ombudsman,” said Grievance Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis to Federal Ombudsman, Hafiz Ahsan Ahmad Khokhar. He said the facilitation desks for OPs at eight airports had received overall 32,476 complaints since being operational, including 947 formal complaints, which were instantly resolved through a mechanism devised by the Federal Ombudsman. He said most complaints filed by the Ops were related to lost luggage and issues related to Passport and National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis.

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September 18, 2016 Sun All Day

Sindh trains, posts 168 ex-servicemen to guard CPEC projects -- Dawn

KARACHI: Around 168 ex-army personnel out of the planned 2,000 for the ‘special protection unit’ of the Sindh police have been trained and posted at various locations while nearly 500 more have been selected by the authorities concerned, it was learnt on Saturday.

Officials in the Sindh home ministry said they had recruited the first batch of the planned 2,000 ex-army personnel for the special protection unit (SPU) who had been trained and posted somewhere.

“Some 168 ex-army personnel have been trained and are on duty,” said a senior official in the home ministry but he did not provide details.

He said around 487 more had been selected and their medical examination was under way. “Soon, they will be sent for training,” he added.

The SPU was set up by the Apex Committee of Sindh on the directives of the federal interior ministry to provide ‘seamless security’ to the Chinese who are coming to Sindh for projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said some 2,000 ex-army personnel would be there to strengthen the capacity of the Sindh police and assist in safeguarding the CPEC-related projects.

However, leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Qamar Zaman Kaira, criticised the interior minister for violating the Constitution by interfering in the law and order issue in Sindh, which is a provincial subject.

Officials said this was not the first time that Sindh police were hiring ex-servicemen as some 1,200 retired soldiers had been recruited two years ago to cope with the security challenges and targeted operations in Karachi.

“Any criticism against the recruitment of retired soldiers for the SPU is uncalled-for as the Sindh police did it previously as well,” said an official in Islamabad.

The 1,200 retired soldiers of the armed forces were recruited in line with the decision of the provincial cabinet mainly for security duties in Karachi.

Officials in the Sindh police then had said that the induction of ex-servicemen in its ranks had helped the police as the growing security challenges required a much larger force than the existing one.

They said that the benefit of hiring retired military men was that they were already prepared to join the force with immediate effect and “just need to learn the basics before being inducted”.

The Sindh government said it was ready to take all measures needed to establish an effective SPU for the Chinese investors and their projects.

“The remaining vacancies [in the SPU] will be advertised soon,” said an official in the home ministry.

Chairing a meeting mulling over the security plans for CPEC projects in Sindh, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said CPEC would open new vistas of prosperity and development in Sindh like elsewhere in the country.

Officials said the Sindh government had already issued standard operation procedures (SOPs) for the security of the Chinese in the province.

They added that the federal government had also raised a special security division (SSD) consisting of nine infantry combat battalions of Pakistan Army with a force of 9,000 personnel and six wings of civil armed force of 4,502 personnel for the 1865

September 18, 2016 Continued Sun security of CPEC projects and Chinese expatriates.

The provincial government is yet to give its input in the terms of reference for the SSD, under which there would be a dedicated headquarters for each CPEC project.

Officials claim that CM Shah had already directed the Sindh police chief to ensure proper security of CPEC projects and expedite the appointment of 2,000 special force personnel for the security of the Chinese.

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September 21, 2016 Wed All Day

Gwadar Port to handle 300-400m-ton load of goods annually: Chinese report -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—The Gwadar Port after coming into stream will start handle the 300-400 million tons of load of goods to be traded annually playing as a catalyst in stimulating the economy of country which is slowly growing 2-3.5 per cent for many years, reveals a Chinese report.

The port is currently handling half a million tons of load that will surge up to one million next year.

According to eminent economist of the country Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan, Principal and Dean of School of Economics, NUST, Islamabad while mentioning the salient features of Chinese report here in a National Conference on CPEC: Marco and Mirco Economic Dividends held here on Tuesday told that the Gwadar port will alone on its completion start handling the 300-400 million tones of load of goods whereas all the ports of India have the current combined capacity of handling 500 million tones of goods a year.

The CEPEC project with Gwadar port will handle the big economies of $4-5 trillion of western part of China, Pakistan’s $300 billion economy along with a bunch of economies of CAS (Central Asian States) and under this scenario CPEC corridor will be termed as international economic corridor meaning by that Pakistan will be part of the international economic activities. And in case Iran which has manifested its interest to become part of CPEC even in the presence of its own Chabahar Port, then this project will become a part of not only economic integration of regional but international economies.

Khan said that Gwadar port along with roads network will not only change the face of Balochistan in particular, but will also bring new wave of development across the country in general.

He said that there is no doubt that CPEC project carries paramount importance and it is really beneficial and may change the face of the country provided Pakistan successfully copes with the capacity constraints and ensures the transparency in agreements of all the projects under CPEC umbrella.

According to one estimate, CPEC is expected to enhance the economic growth at least by two percentage point by 2020 and an additional 1.5 percentage point by 2030. Higher economic growth will create additional jobs in the range of 1.5-2 million per annum that will increase per capita income and tax revenue.

Dr Salman Shah, former finance minister of Pakistan and Chairman of Pakistan Centre for Economic Cooperation said the economic integration of China and Pakistan is the key to make CPEC a game changer highlighting the grey areas which if get corrected will make it a success story.

Dr Shah said that that it is an economic imperative for China and Pakistan to increase and fortify their economic integration as the basis of increasing their regional economic power and to face the competition presented by other regional blocs. “Our goal should be to transform Pakistan’s pivotal geography and its strategic relationship with China into a sustainable process of economic integration between the two countries and leading ultimately to a huge trading bloc encompassing Africa, Middle East, West Asia, Central Asia, Pakistan, China and Russia.”

Shah said that Zhu Rangji, former prime minister of china and great strategic mind of china laid the foundation stone of Gwadar along with the then President of Pakistan General (retired) Pervez Musharraf. “His view was that every super power has access to the sea on all sides of its borders like the USA has an east coast and west coast. For China Pakistan is west coast. “This means Pakistan economically can be to China what California is to the USA,” Dr Shah argues.

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September 23, 2016 Fri All Day

CPEC to help overcome energy crisis by 2018: minister -- Dawn

KHUZDAR: The federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal, said on Thursday that development in Balochistan was the top priority of the government and it had launched several development projects in the last three years in the province.

Addressing a ceremony at the Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, he announced a project worth Rs 800 million for building a hostel and laboratory on the university campus.

The government had allocated record funds for universities in Balochistan and was establishing new universities in less-developed areas of the province to expand the higher education network. The establishment of universities in Turbat, Zhob and Gwadar would provide opportunities to the local population, he added.

“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a national project and politics on this will be an injustice to the people of Pakistan,’’ the minister said, adding that the government was committed to completing the projects that fell under the framework of CPEC.

He said that CPEC would benefit the less privileged areas of Pakistan. It would connect Pakistan with the world and open avenues for cooperation for the people, communities and states across the region. No one will be allowed to sabotage this project, he added.

The energy projects under CPEC would help overcome energy crisis by 2018 as $35 billion would be spent in the sector. Out of the $35bn, $11bn would be spent in Sindh while $9bn would be allocated to Balochistan, said Mr Iqbal, adding that the Gwadar-Quetta road would be completed by December this year and the Gwadar Khuzdar-Ratodero road would be completed in the stipulated time.

Mr Iqbal, who was on a three-day visit to Balochistan, chaired a meeting in Ziarat to review work on projects that formed a part of the prime minister’s fund for the development of Ziarat. A master plan would be formulated for an integrated development of infrastructure, he said.

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September 28, 2016 Wed All Day

Quality educational institution being built in Gwadar: CM -- Nations

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government is working on the project of Khadim-e-Punjab Bahria Model School and College in Gwadar which will play an important role in providing quality education to children of Balochistan.

He said a high standard educational institution was being constructed in Gwadar for the children of this area.

He was addressing a meeting through a video link, here Tuesday, which reviewed the project of Khadim-e-Punjab Bahria Model School and College, Gwadar. The chief minister said the Punjab government had included children of all provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in its educational programmes and this step had promoted national solidarity, brotherhood and unity. He said high quality work would be ensured on the project of Khadim-e-Punjab Bahria Model School and College, Gwadar.

Provincial Minister for School Education Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Naval Commander Balochistan Coast Gwadar Commodore Akbar Naqi, Secretary School Education, Secretary Planning & Development and the authorities concerned participated in the meeting through a video link.

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September 29, 2016 Thu All Day

CPEC to change destiny of people: Chinese envoy -- The News

During the past 30 years, China has achieved rapid economic growth and sustained livelihood improvement. China has been the world's second largest economy since 2010 and created a miracle of development by “China speed”.

Ambassador of China Sun Weidong expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of 67th Anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Speaker National Assembly was the chief guest.

The ambassador further said, “We pursue peaceful development. We maintain that all countries, big or small, are all equal. We advocate the opening-up strategy of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation. We develop friendship and cooperation with all countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. We have made our contribution to the world peace and development.”

He added, China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 65 years ago, China and Pakistan have always maintained mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support.

No matter how the international and regional situations have changed, our friendship remains unbreakable and even gets stronger than before. It has become a model of relations between countries.

Recently, when learning that some provinces of Southern China suffered from severe flood, the Pakistani government promptly provided emergency assistance of 10,000 tons of rice to China. It once again reflected the love and care of Pakistani people to the Chinese people in times of difficulty. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude to our Pakistani brothers!

He said since the successful state visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan last year, the all-round cooperation between China and Pakistan has maintained strong momentum with substantive advancement.

As the major and pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has made significant progress. Up to now, among the 30 early harvest projects, 16 have been completed or are under construction, with investment of more than 13 billion US dollars.

These projects have created tens of thousands of job opportunities for the local people, and brought great vitality to the development of Pakistan.

From its very beginning, CPEC is a project designed to promote people’s livelihood.

The ultimate goal of CPEC is to achieve economic growth and improve people's livelihood, no matter whether they are projects of Gwadar Port, transportation infrastructure, energy and industrial cooperation, or they are educational and medical programmes. That is why CPEC has won extensive support from people of all walks of life in Pakistan, he added.

The ambassador said, like all the other projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC is an open and inclusive cooperation concept. It is neither exclusive nor against any third party. It is by no means a zero-sum game. It will make the people of this region benefit from connectivity, industrial cooperation and cultural exchanges. It will play an active role in promoting the development and prosperity of the region.

The Chinese people always advocate high morality and honour commitments. We emphasise hard work and believe that actions out-speak words. What is now under construction are just early harvest projects of CPEC. I am convinced that in the near future, CPEC will attract more investment, bring more business opportunities and promote more exchanges just like a huge magnet.

We will witness the changes and benefit from the dividends brought by CPEC. 1870

September 29, 2016 Continued Thu On this occasion, I want to thank the Government of Pakistan for promoting the construction of CPEC. I want to thank the Pakistani military and law enforcement agencies for creating a safe environment for the Chinese people and institutions in Pakistan. I also want to thank the political parties, think-tanks, media and all the friends for your valuable support to the China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation.

“Today, I invited some representatives of both Chinese and Pakistani technicians and engineers. They are working on the construction sites of CPEC projects. They are: engineers working on KKH Phase II in Havelian from China Road and Bridge Corporation, engineers based in Multan of the M4 Highway (Multan – Sukkur section) from China State Construction Engineering Corporation, technicians of Sahiwal Coal-fired Power Plant from Huaneng Shandong Ruyi Energy Corporation, engineers of Port Qasim Coal-fired Power Plant from Power China Resources, engineers of Gwadar Port from China Overseas Ports Holding Company.” Let’s join hands towards our common dreams and make unremitting efforts to achieve the goal of the Community of China-Pakistan Shared Destiny at an early date, he concluded.

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October 1, 2016 Sat All Day

ECNEC approves $2b Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG terminal -- Express Tribune

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) – the country’s highest project approval authority – sanctioned the mega scheme along with five other projects. In total, the ECNEC approved six projects costing Rs281 billion. Some of the projects cost were revised upward, indicating flaws in planning and execution.

Work on Gwadar Airport to start this year The pipeline project The ECNEC approval for pipeline project was necessary to negotiate the terms of $1.4 billion loan that Islamabad is keen to get from Chinese Export-Import (Exim) Bank. The terms of the loans carries implication for the cost of the project, which is currently estimated at $2 billion or Rs203.3 billion, according to officials of the Ministry of Planning and Development.

Pakistan has hoped that the Chinese Exim Bank will provide 85% of the financing under government-to-government mode. The Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract will be given to a Chinese company.

In phase-I, the pipeline will follow the coastal pipeline corridor, which was formally established for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. In phase-II, a 90-kilometre patch will be constructed from Gwadar to Pakistan-Iran border to tie the national network with Iranian system, according to the project documents.

The financial analysis of the project shows that the project will be viable, if it operates at its full designed capacity of 1,500 mmcfd. The project is expected to be completed in two years (2016-2018), according to a handout of the Finance Ministry. It said the key objective of this project is to overcome the shortage of natural gas supply by importing LNG at Gwadar. The Economic Affairs Division has agreed to discuss the financing arrangements for this project with EXIM Bank China, said the Finance Ministry.

Iran, Saudi Arabia eager to join CPEC Electric locomotives The ECNEC also jacked up the cost of procurement of 58 Diesel Electric Locomotives to Rs16.3 billion. The procurement will be completed by December 2016. The proposed locos will replace 50 over-aged locomotives and will be used to haul freight and passenger services along with High Capacity Wagons fitted with air brakes and roller bearing. With the completion of the project the capacity of Pakistan Railways will improve many times, the meeting was informed.

The ECNEC approved phase three of the 100 small dams in Balochistan project at a cost of Rs7.8 billion. The project will complete in three years’ time and help in managing flood flows.

The highest project approval authority also cleared Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project at a revised cost of Rs4.7 billion including Rs4.1 billion foreign loan. The project will help improve the standard of life in four less developed districts of Punjab -Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur.

The International fund for Agriculture Development has helped in the financing of the project through a soft loan of $40.13 million. The project will help reducing poverty in the areas of southern Punjab with assistance in income generation, increasing agricultural productivity, improved livelihood opportunities, providing vocational training specially to women and building physical infrastructure to improve the quality of life. The project is expected to be completed next year.

Other projects 1872

October 1, 2016 Continued Sat The ECNEC also approved the Golen Gol Hydropower project, having 106MW generation capacity, at a revised cost of Rs29.1 billion. The project is being constructed in the district of Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The government is borrowing Rs10.7 billion from foreign lenders to finance the project.

ECNEC says yes to Neelum-Jhelum, CPEC road projects The project will be connected with the national grid with a 198 km transmission line which include 132kv transmission line from Golan Gol to Timurgarha passing over Lowari pass (145km) and 132 kv single circuit line from Taimurgarh to Chakdara (53 km).

The ECNEC also allowed the Peshawar Electric Supply Company to construct 7th Secondary Transmission Line and Grid Stations at a cost of Rs20 billion. The project will be completed in five years.

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October 5, 2016 Wed All Day

China extends concession of $50m in cost of Gwadar LNG terminal -Pak Observer, G-8 Markaz, G-8, Islamabad, ICT, Islamabad, Pakistan

Islamabad—In a positive development, China has extended concession of $40-50 million in the cost of LNG terminal to be constructed at Gwadar Port. The terminal, once completed, will have the capacity to re-gasify the 600 mmcfd.

Earlier, Chinese company had offered to construct the Gwadar terminal at $300 million ad in latest development it has agreed to extend the concession of 40-50 million dollars meaning by that it would now build the terminal at the cost of $250 million, one of top officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources told Pakistan Observer.

China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB) will, the official said, construct the said terminal. However, Pakistan is stilling seeking more concession in the cost to be incurred on the construction of Gwadar LNG, but Chinese side is no more willing to further provide the solace to Pakistan to this effect arguing it has already provided the concession of $40-50 million.

China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB) is the same company which is also to lay the 700-kilometre LNG pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah. The LNG pipeline will be constructed at the cost of $1.353 billion. Now the Price Negotiating Committee is engaged with Chinese experts on the cost of LNG terminal.

If it is finalised at a cost desired by Pakistan, then the whole cost of LNG pipeline and LNG terminal will stand at $1.6 billion. China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB)—subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) will set up both the LNG terminal and construct the 700-kilometre Gwadar- Nawabshah pipeline.

The project will be materialised with the loan at 2 per cent interest for 20 years long period to be arranged from China EXIM bank by the China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau. To a question, the official said that the cost of $1.6 billion of both (pipeline and LNG terminal) has been worked out without taxes and duties. The GwadarNawabshah pipeline will be built on EPC-F (engineering procurement construction) with financing mode. The executive committee of national economic council (ECNEC) has ultimately approved the said pipeline with 85 per cent financing from China and 15 per cent financing to be arranged by the government of Pakistan.

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Chinese furniture industry keen to further enhance collaboration with Pak counterparts -- Pakistan Today

The leader of the visiting Chinese furniture manufacturers’ delegation Zuo Boyang on Wednesday said they want to further enhance collaboration with Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) to promote furniture business and pave way for improved trade ties between the business communities of the either countries.

A high-level Chinese furniture delegation on a 2-day visit to Pakistan today visited PFC head office to exchange their expertise and experiences in regard to enhancing ties in the furniture sector. Zuo took a keen interest in various made in Pakistan furniture products and thoroughly discussed the ways and means for boosting the furniture trade especially office furniture and strengthening the existing business relations among the corporate sectors of two countries on modern lines.

Zuo Boyang, leading Chinese furniture producer, on this occasion, said Pakistan’s furniture with calligraphic engraving had great demand in international markets, which seems to be the dominant one in Pakistan, therefore Pakistani craftsmen should focus on working in this particular area to earn the much-needed foreign exchange. He said Pakistan has excellent craftsmen and designers, who could virtually give life to a piece of wood. Pakistan also has the potential to capture its share of the international market because local industry in Pakistan has the finest wood available in the country.

Rita Cho, another Chinese leading furniture producer, said both the countries not only share a border but also have unanimity of views on various political and economic issues. The two countries have a combined market of more than 1.5 billion people but the trade volume needs to be pushed up. “The Chinese importers may have better prospects for Pakistani goods, particularly of furniture. “The involvement of Chinese enterprises, both in terms of technical and financial 1874

October 5, 2016 Continued Wed assistance in several development projects is reflective of our cordial relations based on mutual trust and sincerity and Chinese furniture sector is willing to enhance its trading ties with Pakistan and there are many areas which can be explored with mutual enterprises in furniture sector in Pakistan.

Earlier members of the delegation were briefed by Deputy General Manager PFC Faisal Mohsin about the bright scope of the future industry in Pakistan. He said furniture sector is being promoted under the dynamic leadership of PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq. He said most of the country has great scope for Pakistani Furniture, because they like Pakistani Traditional Hand-Carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs can be replicated in China market, therefore efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by more regular participation in international shows. “All this can happen if there is government’s will and a vision amongst furniture traders. Joint ventures with China through trade commissions for providing machines on a lease can bring product quality at par with highest international standards. But for this to happen, the furniture industry in Pakistan must vigorously transform from cottage or small scale industry to innovative industry through training, upgrading supplies and imports,� he added.

He said despite the massive influx of inexpensive Chinese furniture in the markets, Pakistani handmade furniture is still admired among masses for its customary designs, durability and quality .He pointed that furniture exports from Pakistan were hovering between $8.0 million to $12 million per annum, which did not reflect even a fraction of the actual potential of the furniture industry.

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October 7, 2016 Fri All Day

Pakistan Seeks $1.7 Billion Bids for Southern Highway Plan -Bloomberg

Pakistan is seeking foreign investment of $1.7 billion to build a new highway in the southern province of Sindh to supplement a Chinese-funded infrastructure network being laid across the country.

The National Highway Authority will ask for bids next week for the 296-kilometers (184 miles) highway between the cities of Hyderabad and Sukkar, the agency’s Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar said in an interview in the capital, Islamabad.

“Other than the Chinese, this time we expect that Turkish, Malaysians and South Koreans will come and bid,” Tarar said.

Pakistan’s economic growth has accelerated to almost 5 percent in the past three years after averting a balance-of-payments crisis in 2013 by submitting to an International Monetary Fund loan program worth $6.6 billion, which ended last month. Along with an easing of inflation and as domestic security threats have abated, China announced last year it would invest in projects worth about $46 billion in Pakistan as part of a so-called economic corridor.

To read about China’s ambitions in Pakistan, click here.

Infrastructure Landscape Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is pegging his 2018 re-election campaign on bridging chronic energy and infrastructure gaps as his administration targets a 7 percent economic growth rate within two years. The construction of a six-lane highway on the eastern route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.

“There is big gap between the potential and the actual road network,” said Mohammed Sohail, chief executive officer of Topline Securities Pakistan Ltd. in Karachi. “Investors will look into this opportunity” as the economy continues to expand, he said.

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Enter your email Sign Up The highway authority has so far started over $9.5 billion worth of projects in the past three years and is hoping to attract another $5 billion investment in the next five, more than half of which will be pegged to upgrade the China corridor routes, Tarar said. The length of the main highway will be tripled to 1,800 kilometers by linking all road arteries with industrial zones on the route, he said.

The 3,000-kilometer-long corridor stretches from Xinjiang in western China to Pakistan’s Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. Of China’s planned investment, $11 billion is allocated for infrastructure projects and big chunk of it will be spent in Balochistan province, home to the deep-sea port in Gwadar.

“The landscape of infrastructure is going to be transformed in the next three years,” said Tarar. “Imagine you travel from Karachi to Peshawar on the motorway, the time and energy it’ll save with security ensured. Unless you have good infrastructure the economy will drag.”

All Day

Work on M9 Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway in full swing: FWO DG -- BR KARACHI: Director General Frontier Works Organization (FWO) Muhammad Afzal has said that development work of M9 Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway is in full swing.

He added that there is no disturbance for vehicular traffic. Talking to Daily Times, Afzal said all energies and resources are being used to accelerate the work as the FWO's objective is 'Striving for Excellence'.

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October 7, 2016 Continued Fri He said according to the agreement the existing 4 Lane Karachi-Hyderabad Superhighway will be converted into 6 Lane Motorway of International Standard, which is also a key project related to China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC).

Afzal said the construction of M-8, N-85 and N-25 will provide a vital link between Gwadar and Quetta and Gwadar and Indus Highway, which as a complete road communication will be a game changer for the country's prosperity.

He said Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway project maintenance is in line with international practices and after the completion it would be used for over next 25 years, playing a key role by linking the port city to the whole country.

DG FWO declared that this project will ultimately play a key role in area development and progress in every sector.

1877

October 10, 2016 Mon All Day

China to upgrade Pakistan rail network -- Global Times

Pakistan said China's help in upgrading its railway system would help both the country and the region.

Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative, China will help Pakistan upgrade its railway system, starting with the Karachi-Peshawar Railway Line, or Main Line 1 (ML1).

"The ML1 is another milestone of the China-Pakistan Economy Corridor," Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan Federal Minister for Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

"It will improve the railway connectivity between China and Pakistan not only for the two countries, but for the connectivity of the whole region ‌ It is a transformational project for the entire region."

Pakistan, which is located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and China, seeks to promote more regional cooperations.

The upgrading of the 1,700-kilometer-long ML1 will be the first phase, with a longterm plan expected to connect the southern port city of Gwadar with Khunjerab, a China-Pakistan border town.

Iqbal said Pakistan hopes the $8 billion ML1 upgrading project is expected to be completed in five years. The Export-Import Bank of China is providing $5.5 billion, with the Asian Development Bank covering the balance.

"Through this rail connectivity, opportunities will surface especially in transporting goods between Pakistan and China," said Iqbal. "This will have a great impact on transport efficiency in Pakistan and provide an alternate route for China to do trade with the rest of the world."

Recent years have witnessed a huge boost in China-Pakistan ties, highlighted by the collaboration on the construction of the Gwadar port.

"We feel very comfortable and very safe in engaging with Chinese companies, and the Chinese government has recommended top enterprises," said Iqbal. "These projects have become a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship."

The railway system is considered the backbone of Pakistan's economy, said Iqbal, adding a coordination meeting is scheduled for November to review the project and provide a framework for mid- and long-term projects.

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October 11, 2016 Tue All Day

Economic corridor: only two projects worth $137 million completed -- BR Only two projects at a cost of $137 million under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have been completed so far out of 17 early harvest proposed projects at a total estimated cost of $18 billion. According to the information shared with the National Assembly last week, the two CPEC projects that have been completed are Quaid-e-Azam 100 megawatts Solar Park at a cost of $137 million and Digital Terrestrial Multiband Broadcast at a cost of $2 million.

Ten of the remaining 15 projects that are under implementation include: (i) 10 energy projects at a total cost of $11.186 billion to generate around 4,460 megawatts electricity by 2018; (ii) two relating to transport infrastructure at a cost of $6.1 billion, (iii) two relating to Gwadar Port at a cost of $0.3706 billion and (iv) one Cross Border Optical Fiber Cable at an estimated cost of $0.044 billion.

Tentative completion deadline of two separate coal-fired projects is as follows: (i) 660 megawatts of Port Qasim Electric Company Sindh at a projected cost of $1,980 million is scheduled for completion in 2017/2018; and Sahiwal Coal-Fired Power Plant with a generation capacity of 1,320 megawatts at a cost of $1,600 million will be completed in June 2017.

Four Engro Thar projects with a total generation capacity of 1320 megawatts (330 MW each) at a cost of $2 billion will be completed by 2018; surface mine in block-II of Thar coal field, 6.5mtpa, at a projected cost of $1,470 million is scheduled for completion in 2018; Dawood 50 megawatts wind farm, Bhambore, Sindh at an estimated cost of $125 million is to be completed by November 2016; UEP 100 megawatts wind farm, Jhimpir, Sindh, at a cost of $250 million will be completed by September 2017; Sachal 50 megawatts wind farm, Jhimpir, Sindh, at a projected cost of $134 million will be completed by July 2017; Suki Kinari Hydropower Station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at an estimated cost of $1,802 million is scheduled for completion in 2021/2022; and Karo Hydropower Station, Azad Jammu Kashmir and Punjab at a cost of $1,420 will be completed in 2020/2021.

Two other projects under the CPEC-Transport Infrastructure Projects worth $6.1 billion are in the implementation stage. Karakorum Highway Phase-II (RaikotIslamabad Section) worth $3,500 million will be completed in 2017/2018 and Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section) worth $2,600 million will be completed in 2018. Two projects under the CPEC-Gwadar Port worth $0.3706 billion are also in the implementation stage and are scheduled to be completed in 2018. Eastbay Expressway with a cost of $0.1406 billion and Gwadar International Airport with a cost of $0.230 billion would be completed in 2018.

Another project namely Cross Border Optical Fiber Cable with a cost of $0.044 billion will be completed in 2017/2018. China and Pakistan signed a $46 billion investment and infrastructure development programme in April 2015 during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Islamabad.

1879

October 14, 2016 Fri All Day

Japanese corporations should join CPEC projects: Ahsan -- Dawn

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday invited Japan to take advantage of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and encourage Japanese corporations to take part in projects of transport infrastructure and power generation on Independent Power Producers model.

“CPEC is not a bilateral project but it is an inclusive project where major economies from European Union, Middle East, America and Asia are also showing their interest to join in.”

He said this after holding meetings with Secretary General of Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Dr.Kanoktanaporn, Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Akira Kondoh, Chairman, Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL), Sheishiro Eto and representatives of major Japanese business corporations Ahsan Iqbal who is on a two-day visit to Tokyo to participate in the World Marketing Summit, apprised his interlocutors that the grand CPEC Project has already taken off and bears immense potential of connecting a three billion strong region of South Asia, China and Central Asia.

The Minister shunned apprehensions relating to security concerns about Pakistan and informed of sustainable success in Security Operation Zarb-e-Azb. When asked by Japanese media about the situation prevalent at Line of Control (LoC), he reiterated Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s vision of “Peaceful Neighbourhood”. He stated that for development of people to take place peace in South Asia is a must.

In his meetings and media interaction, Ahsan Iqbal stated that economic indicators of Pakistan have improved considerably over the last three years.The foreign exchange reserves have more than doubled from US$10 billion to US$23 billion and inflation remained lowest in South Asia.

Ahsan Iqbal said that government was able to bring down budget deficit to 4.7% of GDP. He also added that Morgan Stanley declared Pakistan as one of the promising emerging markets globally.

He said, Karachi Stock Exchange has been rated as one of the top three stock exchanges of Asia. He also emphasized Pakistan’s demographic dividend, saying that over two-thirds of its 200 million population is under 25 years of age.

1880

October 15, 2016 Sat All Day

Pak, China eyeing ‘bigger economic bloc’ between Asian nations -Pakistan Today

Pakistan is quietly scrambling to form a greater economic alliance of South Asian nations with other Asian allies to outmanoeuvre the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

“Yes, using Pakistan’s strategic geographic location and its clout on other Asian states, Pakistan is working to form a new alliance of Asian nations for greater economic connectivity between South Asian, Central Asian, West Asian and East Asian states,” a senior diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed while talking to this scribe on the condition of anonymity.

The official said that Pakistan was, while benefitting from its geostrategic location, working on half a dozen economic and energy corridors to link South Asia with Central Asian, West Asian and East Asian countries.

The source, however, rubbished the notion that the efforts by Pakistan were aimed at sidelining the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). “This is childish to think that we are trying to sideline SAARC. We are just planning to explore the ways and means to avoid terrorism-hit countries like Afghanistan which is a major impediment in regional connectivity,” the source said.

Asked to elaborate, the official said that since peace efforts were failing in conflicthit Afghanistan, Pakistan and China had decided to use Kashgar as a new venue to link South Asian states with central Asian states.

“Pakistan is the shortest possible route to central Asian states. We have decided to also use the Kashgar route of China as the principal link with Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and other central Asian states through the Karakoram Highway which is not only safer but a shorter route too,” the source added.

The official said that Pakistan was in close coordination with other South Asian states for the new economic bloc.

“China, Middle East, Iran and some Central Asian states have already expressed their willingness to join this larger alliance of like-minded South Asian states with central and east Asian nations,” the source said, adding that this was the reason behind a flurry of high-profile visits between Pakistan and other regional powers.

“Around 15 high-level exchanges have taken place during the recent past between Pakistan and other friendly states. They are all part of the efforts by Pakistan to form a greater economic alliance,” the source added.

The source said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had recently visited some of these central Asian states while the top dignitaries of these countries had also visited Pakistan. The official further said that the initiative also augured well for China which would be playing a key role in persuading Central Asian republics and Iran to join the new arrangement.

INDIA WELCOME TO NEW ALLIANCE TOO:

Asked whether the new economic bloc would include India, the official said India was an important regional player and Pakistan would welcome if it joined the new alliance. “Yes, why not? We are open to India’s joining of the new bloc,” the official said. Asked why India would be welcomed as the hegemonic designs of the Indian establishment may also turn the new alliance into a failure like the SAARC, the diplomat said that China’s presence would help strike a balance.

“India would not be in a position to dictate terms on the bloc,” the official said, adding that Indian involvement would be a sign that India also wanted to remain positive to reap the dividends of regional connectivity.

Meanwhile, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Pakistan’s special envoy on Kashmir, 1881

October 15, 2016 Continued Sat also hinted at the same development during his five-day visit to Washington. He said that this group would be more effective than the SAARC. “A greater South Asia is already emerging,” said Mushahid in one of his interactions with the media.

“This greater South Asia includes China, Iran and the neighbouring Central Asian republics.” “We want India to join this arrangement as well,” added Mushahid.

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October 24, 2016 Mon All Day

Where’s CPEC in our FDI? -- Dawn

Foreign direct investment inflows into Pakistan have maintained a steady decline, from a $5.2bn peak in 2007-08, for a variety of reasons, but chiefly due to adverse security perception, political instability and governance challenges.

But the further, more than one-third (38pc), slump in net FDI inflows for the first quarter of the current fiscal year surprised many who expected a ‘ratchet up’ impact due to the beginning of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the feel-good atmosphere brought about by the improved macro-economic fundamentals created by government circles.

China holds the top slot in terms of FDI contribution to Pakistan, replacing the United States and the UK. The State Bank of Pakistan reported foreign direct investment for first three months (July-September 2016) at $249.4m against $403.3m of same period last year, down 38.2 pc. After adjusting for portfolio inflows and outflows, the total foreign investment in the first quarter of the current fiscal year was reported at $368.1m when compared with $793.2m of same period last year, showing a further decline of 53.6 pc.

This should be a cause of concern for all because FDI is not only a source of foreign capital but also a trigger to technology transfer, improvement in managerial skills and market access — all critically important for a higher growth trajectory.

This gets more alarming when other sources of foreign inflows — slowing remittances and falling exports — are also entering the danger zone and the country’s debt profile is expanding. Already, the government is reported to have contracted foreign loans about $15bn greater than targeted in three years as foreign investments and exports failed to support international reserves.

Political uncertainty arising out of repeated attempts to derail the government, volatile cities, energy shortages over a longer period, terrorist activities and the resultant adverse travel advisories for investors from western governments have a contributed to the overall investment environment.

Not surprisingly, the country slipped two points to the 138th position among 189 in the World Bank Doing Business Ranking in 2016 from 136th in 2015. According to the IMF “Pakistan’s weak business climate continues to constrain private investment and economic growth” as its ranking in starting a business, getting credit, and trading across borders worsened.

Thus, lengthy procedures and high costs for opening a new business and paying taxes, limited access to credit notably for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), complex border trading requirements, constraints in accessing electricity, and weak contract enforcement continue to weigh on the country’s business climate, which ranks below the South Asia average and comparative emerging markets countries, the IMF observed.

While the government is currently working on reducing procedures for opening new businesses and energy shortages have started to reduce, it is hopeful the low FDI trend would reverse soon.

Miftah Ismail, the chairman Board of Investment (BOI) is equally perplexed over the FDI numbers but believes the dip was an early and temporary phenomenon that would pick up soon as CPEC related projects take off. He hoped the FDI would end up at the very least a 35pc higher than last year.

He said it was also beyond his understanding why numbers were falling. He called a meeting with the SBP and the ministries of finance and commerce to find out if FDI was being correctly recorded or there was a problem in methodology.

He suspected the institutions concerned were only recording the flows in cash and 1883

October 24, 2016 Continued Mon not machinery and equipment, as in case of Chinese projects. However, after reviewing the processes and methodology the BOI chief was convinced there was no problem.

Mr Miftah, however, said some projects like Chashma Nuclear Power Plant were developed through Chinese loans and hence accounted for as foreign debt and not as foreign direct investment. So, FDI data based on two-three months does not depict the true picture because a substantial investment in a given month, or lack of it, could swing the figures either way.

He explained that net foreign direct investment was arrived at after deducting interest payments and profit repatriations by foreign companies with at least 15pc shareholding in local companies. For example, the gross FDI last year was estimated at about $2.25bn that fell down to $1.28bn after accounting for about $1.067bn of interest payment and profit repatriation.

On the other hand, the 1320MW Coal power plant of $2.5bn and another project at Port Qasim with similar capacity and cost estimates would progress significantly during the current year and add to the FDI number. Also, a $500m investment in Engro by foreigners will be materialising followed by about $250m foreign investment in Dawlance as their local sponsors reduce their shareholding.

On top of that, a large multinational company was investing around $100m in an FMCG while CocaCola was adding its investment by another $200-300m this year.

Nestle has already made some investments and half of that would also be materialising this year. He firmly believed the net FDI at the end of the current year would work out at $1.8-1.9bn, suggesting around 50pc increase.

Responding to a question, he did not agreed that low FDI was also a question mark on the role and performance of the BOI — a one-window facility for attracting and facilitating foreign investment.

He said the BOI had basically two roles including facilitation to foreign investors and holding seminars and soft marketing of Pakistan abroad On top of that, the BOI has now adopted a new role. For example, as chairman of the BOI he was able to resolve a longstanding dispute with Russian investors that would open up the country for more investment. “Also, we were able to author a new policy for the automobile sector, get it approved and are now working towards its implementation.

“The BOI also has played central role in the preparation of a support package for the export sector that is currently in the approval phase”, he concluded.

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October 25, 2016 Tue All Day

Importance, benefits of CPEC highlighted -- Dawn

Punjab Planning & Development Department in collaboration with Ministry of Planning, Development & Reforms Pakistan Monday organised a lecture on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at P&D Complex.

The lecture session was chaired by Punjab Planning & Development Chairman Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan while provincial secretaries, members P&D board and other major government officials attended the session.

The lecture titled “The Strategic Importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Its Role in Uplifting the Economy of Punjab” was delivered by Maj-Gen (retd) Dr Zahir Shah, Projector Director/Coordinator CPEC at Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform Islamabad.

The objective of the lecture was to provide a platform to all provincial departments and stakeholders to learn about the significance and impact of this ‘Game Changer’ project and be aware of the core issues and various factors such as finance, economics, governance, management, etc. entailing this project.

Dr Zahir deliberated on the importance of CPEC with respect to Punjab’s economy, stating Punjab was pivotal and the heart of Pakistan thus it was imperative to have a conducive business environment in the province.

He said the potential sectors such as light industry, electronic, textile, chemicals industry, IT, minerals, automotive industry and infrastructure sector which could benefit from the CPEC. The lecture concluded with recommendations for project identification under CPEC, policy support and increased research and Development (R&D) in the context of the Economic Corridor. Dr Zahir emphasised that focus must be placed on the underlying basis of partnership and business models and strategies must be evaluated to involve other sectors as well.

Chairman, P&D Board, Muhammad Jahanzeb highlighted that CPEC was a way of building ‘educational, fraternal and cultural bonds’ with China.

The network was expected to bring opportunities for both sides and Pakistan needs to have a key understanding of their needs and demands. He commended the efforts of the planning commission and the provincial governments with regards to CPEC. Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahoo speaking on the occasion said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was the network of logistic of all the potential centres. convention: Pakistan Medical Association, Punjab has termed so-called convention being held in Faisalabad in the name of PMA Punjab, illegal and has no binding on PMA Punjab procedural and constitutional dictates.

This was observed in an emergent meeting of PMA Punjab held here on Monday under the chairmanship of President Dr Izhar Ahmad Ch in chair, according to a press release issued here.

Office-bearers observed that the mandate of convening PMA Punjab convention was the authority of provincial council.

The convening of this illegal PMA Punjab convention shall be undertaken in forthcoming PMA Punjab Provincial Council meeting and responsible shall be brought to book.

1885

October 26, 2016 Wed All Day

CPEC and regional integration -- Pak Observer

AMONG the recent developments, Iran and Afghanistan have expressed their desire to join CPEC. Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal said that CPEC is a great project which is equally relevant to Afghanistan, like Pakistan. Moreover, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UNGA session has also expressed the desire to be part of the CPEC. In response, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, stated that CPEC is a win-win cooperation so we are looking forward to explore the possibilities of cooperation among the all the regional countries.

CPEC, in itself carries the ambitions of regional integration and enhanced cooperation. As elaborated, CPEC is not just a road project but a package of port development, infrastructure, energy and transportation projects, if implemented as envisaged, would help Pakistan in achieving an economic turnaround. Recent statements by Iranian and Afghan authorities regarding CPEC show us a budding realization of the importance of this project for the entire region. Current expression of participation by both states would help present the case of CPEC as a genuine effort to develop the region, enticing more support. Rather, their prospective inclusion would help shed off the concerns of strategic exclusiveness associated with CPEC. Pakistan and Iran have massive scope of bilateral cooperation in the field of energy, especially oil, gas and electricity. Besides, both countries can extend cooperation by enhancing the connectivity between sea ports of Gwadar and Chabahar.

Development of Gwadar port is a key component of CPEC and under the framework, better connectivity between both ports can be ensured. Similarly, CPEC is of geostrategic importance for a landlocked state like Afghanistan. With the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan, the country can become a major beneficiary of this project as in future the corridor will contribute to the economic development of this country by enhancing economic activities in the area, which can bring the fragile economy of Afghanistan back to normalcy.

In order to linkup Afghanistan with CPEC, Pakistan has already pledged the construction of 256 km Peshawar-Kabul motorway which will give Afghanistan an opportunity to start economic and commercial activities. As per the plans, the western alignment of the corridor, which originates from Gwadar and runs through Khuzdar, Zhob and finally reaches Islamabad via D.I. Khan, will have an additional connectivity to link Afghanistan through Chaman. Such a link would also help boost trade links with Central Asian states. With its desire to join CPEC, Afghanistan has rightly understood the benefits; it can reap through a project of such magnitude.

Pakistan and its neighbours have the potential to grow as economic power hubs, provided if make the right choices. There are challenges in way and prospects ahead which can be materialized only if all the stakeholders work on mutual grounds and interests.

Peace in Afghanistan is a pre-requisite in bringing regional prosperity and stability.

Similarly, historic ties between Pakistan and Iran can mutually benefit both countries by promoting energy and defence ties. As a key element, the envisioned CPEC offers energy security alongside various other trade opportunities which is believed to ascertain the new global economic order. The energy needs in South Asia are growing exponentially which demands collaboration at regional level to meet the requirements. Such circumstances require countries like Pakistan, India and China to diversify their options and CPEC provides that opportunity for cooperation.

As Pakistan looks to expand its opportunities regionally, there is a dire need to introduce changes in various sectors internally. Pakistan despite being an ideal industrial base and achieving a remarkable growth of 6.8 percent in the year 2016 is facing decline in exports. In this regard, Pakistan needs to improve its capability to manufacture quality products for export purposes with special focus on capacity building of labor and human development. Besides, the dominant use of raw material in industrial sector and lack of technological up-gradation and innovation are other impediments, requiring attention. This joint venture of CPEC gives Pakistan an opportunity to build its capacity by working closely to an emerging global power, learning from their expertise. — The writer is Assistant Research Officer, Islamabad Policy Research Institute, a think tank based in Islamabad.

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October 26, 2016 Continued Wed All Day

CPEC will complement CAREC's regional connectivity initiatives: Dar -APP In his welcome address at the 15th CAREC Ministerial Meeting in Islamabad on the theme of 'Linking Connectivity with Economic Transformation in CAREC', Dar said the CPEC "offers a massive opportunity for connectivity between Central Asia, Middle East and Africa and is bound to play a defining role in the economic development of our region".

Improving transport corridor was not an end in itself but it was an investment in establishing sound infrastructure and complementary frameworks for opportunities in shared prosperity for the present and future generations of our region, Dar said.

He added that CAREC and Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (TTFS) provided the platform to ensure effective implementation of communications, transport and trade-related projects.

“Once the six CAREC corridors and major seaports start providing access to the global markets, they will deliver services that will be important for national and regional competitiveness, productivity, employment, mobility, and environmental sustainability”, he remarked.

He was confident that the areas of collaboration and specific initiatives under the CAREC Programme would significantly improve connectivity in the region.

“The projects being implemented in the four core areas of communications, trade facilitation, trade policy and energy coupled with the economic corridor development would enable increased trade, enhanced availability of energy and improvement in quality of lives for all people in the region”, he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the meeting, organised by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs Division.

President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao, representatives of CAREC member states, members of the Diplomatic Corps, federal ministers and senior officials attended the meeting.

'CPEC will uplift whole region': PM Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while inaugurating the meeting said, "CPEC will go beyond bilateral initiatives and lead to uplift and economic development of whole region," Radio Pakistan reported.

"Our transport and construction related activities will gain further momentum on the back of infrastructure and power sector development programme under CPEC," he added.

"Pakistan is committed to promote economic and social development through regional cooperation," he said.

Pakistan's focus on energy, economic revival and stabilization has resulted in remarkable and impressive economic growth, the PM claimed, adding that transportation and construction activities would gain momentum on the back of infrastructural and power sector development under the CPEC. The premier added that Pakistan's cooperation in the CAREC reaffirmed its resolve for regional integration and provides valuable opportunity for enhancement of our ties in all four areas of focus.

1887

October 27, 2016 Thu All Day

Army chief reviews Pak-China joint military exercises -- Dunya News

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif reviewed Pakistan-China joint military exercises at National Counter Terrorism Training Centre (NCTC) in Pabbi during a visit on Thursday.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the army chief addressed a gathering in the centre after reviewing joint exercises called “YOUYI-VI 2016”.

Chief of the Army Staff said during his address that foreign countries were learning off Pakistan’s experience in war on terror and Pakistan Army considered it its responsibility to share to contribute to peace in the world.

He lauded the joint military exercises and said that the drills would help both China and Pakistan to neutralise terror threats.

Earlier today, Qatari Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr Khalid Bin Muhammad Al Attiyah called on the army chief in Rawalpindi.

Matters of mutual interest including defence and security cooperation were discussed in the meeting.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan’s successes in fight against terrorism and efforts for regional peace and stability.

All Day

CPEC: Opportunities -- Pak Observer

ISLAMABAD is reaping the benefits of its close strategic partnership with China.

Beijing is also cognizant of the vitality of cordial relation’s sustainability for the pursuits of its interests’ in the transforming global politics. President Xi Jinping visited Islamabad in April 2015 and signed 51 Memorandums of Understanding and announced US$46b investment in Pakistan to build China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Many analysts dubbed CPEC as the centrepiece, the flagship, and pilot project of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Perhaps, CPEC would enhance the trade between China and Pakistan. Currently, the bilateral trade volume is around $12b per year. It is expected that it would reach $15b in near future.

Nothing would better promote Pakistan’s strategic future in South Asia and grand strategy toward India than its indigenous robust economic growth. The country’s economic growth is a Hercules task for the government without the foreign direct investment in both infrastructure build-up and relevant technology transfer.

Ironically, despite Pakistan’s sincere cooperation in the global war on terrorism and Islamabad’s continuity of strategic dialogue with Washington; former fails to secure nuclear deal with US and attract foreign direct investment from the European countries. Conversely, Beijing has been generously assisting Islamabad to revolutionize its economic sector through infrastructure build-up and solidify its defensive fence and above all guard its national interest diplomatically at regional and global forums.

China generously offered to bear the 80 percent financial cost of two Karachi nuclear power plants of 2100 mega walt; building of Gawadar port; airport; etc. It is cooperating in building JF-17 Thunder, at Kamra and also agreed to sell eight conventional submarines to Pakistan Navy. In addition, at all the regional and international forums, Beijing has been endlessly supporting Islamabad. The consensus persists in Pakistan that ‘CPEC is a game changer’. It is because the gigantic generous $46b (recently the figure has increased to $51b after China committed to fund the Karachi-Lahore rail line) investment by China in the economic uplifting of Pakistan would create many opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

Importantly, CPEC is not only aiming at building massive road infrastructure but also intending to develop telecommunications and energy infrastructure. In addition to massive infrastructure build-up, China is also making Pakistan a key partner in its grand economic ambitions that relate to proposed 21st century Silk Route initiative.

Indeed, pipelines buildup, power plants construction and other projects collectively contribute in stabilizing Pakistan’s economy and also end chronic energy crisis in Pakistan. Since decades, Pakistanis have been cognizant to need of a second port 1888

October 27, 2016 Continued Thu at Gwadar. Gwadar port not only holds enormous promise for Pakistan, but also neighbouring countries and regions such as Afghanistan, China, Central Asia and Eurasia. But due to financial constraints, Islamabad had failed to institutionalise its Gwadar port project.

The CPEC project provided Pakistan an opportunity to build as well as operationalize its Gwadar Port. The completion of Gwadar port definitely makes it the economic hub of Pakistan in particular but for the entire region in general. It would construct a strategic nexus between Pakistan, China and Central Asia, generating billions in revenue and providing shorter land routes. It would effectively establish links from the Caspian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, and would enable Gwadar to compete with Persian Gulf ports. This massive investment plan of China in Pakistan, certainly, makes the country a regional economic hub. The completion of CPEC would facilitate Chinese access to the Indian Ocean via Gwadar and also encourage Chinese both government and private sector to investment in the planned economic zones on the CPEC routes. According to the reports, China’s ship-borne trade currently amounting to $5 trillion and it may triple over a decade, much of which will be passing through Gwadar-Kashgar route.

The Chinese investment would also attract the foreign direct investment from other countries. Consequently, the Pakistan would prosper. The CPEC money would be used to construct power projects. The investment in power sector would assist in lessening power shortages that is hindering economic growth in Pakistan. CPEC will connect economic agents along a defined geography. It will provide connection between economic hubs on certain landscapes where large amount of economic resources and actors are concentrated. Perhaps, the mega economic activities further boost bilateral relations between China and Pakistan. The successful implementation of the CPEC would provide Pakistan access to Central Asian States — Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan — Russian Federation and Europe through China. The trucking and logistics industry of Pakistan would have immense opportunity to grow. Certainly, this unprecedented road link would have far-reaching positive geo-economic dividends for the people of Pakistan.

The CPEC infrastructure certainly boosts Pakistan’s tourism industry. In addition, the completion of the CPEC project would play a significant role in inter-provincial integration. It would also bring unprecedented economic rewards for the agriculture sector of Pakistan. The cooperation in the agriculture sector would help in transferring of technology pertaining to agro-chemicals, pesticides, seeds and fertilizers, which is imperative for increasing the yield of the crops in Pakistan. To conclude, successful implementation of CPEC will change the economic outlook and financial conditions of the people of Balochistan and KP. Thus, it is imperative that Islamabad intelligently monitors and thwarts challenges to CPEC, which offers many opportunities for country.

— The writer is Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.

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October 28, 2016 Fri All Day

Pak-China QCCM group to meet in Beijing on Nov 8 -- The Nations

BEIJING, CHINA : The second joint working group meeting of the Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counter Terrorism by AfghanistanChina-Pakistan- Tajikistan Armed Forces/ Militaries (QCCM) will be held in Beijing from Nov. 8 to 10.

During the meeting, all parties will exchange in-depth views on the specifics of their cooperation under the framework of the QCCM, this was announced by Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) here at the regular press briefing.

The QCCM aims to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the 4 countries on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation among regional countries, and to deepen such cooperation among the four militaries.

It is not targeting any country or international organization. The Chinese side will make joint efforts with other parties to strengthen mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and enhance capacity building in counter-terrorism, so as to push the QCCM toward substantial achievements, he added.

While replying to a question regarding recently held China-India joint military exercise in the Ladakh region along the China-India border, Colonel Wu Qian categorically stated China’s position on the Kashmir issue has not changed.

“On October 19, China and India conducted a company-and-platoon-level humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) joint drill near the Moldo meeting point at the western section of the China-India border,” he added.

To a question about the China-manufactured aircraft, the spokesperson said the design and manufacturing of the first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier of China is pressing ahead according to plan.

Currently, the overall design has completed and the bulk has taken its shape in the dock. Equipment and facility installation and outfitting are being conducted.

1890

November 3, 2016 Thu All Day

China willing to finance Pakistan’s portion of IP pipeline -- Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: With Iran coming out of decades-long global economic isolation, China has offered Pakistan that it was willing to finance the un-built portion of a multibillion-dollar gas pipeline project.

Officials told The Express Tribune that the China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (CPPB) – currently engaged with the $1.4 billion Gwadar-Nawabshah LNG terminal and pipeline project – was keen to work on the remaining portion of the gas pipeline from Gwadar to the Iranian border to implement the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

Other countries pull out, China increases investment in Pakistan China was providing 85% of the total financing for the LNG pipeline project and wanted to emulate the same model for building the remaining portion of the pipeline from Gwadar up to the Iranian border.

The IP gas pipeline project had been stalled due to international curbs against Tehran. But soon after lifting of the sanctions, the United States had imposed certain sanctions against Tehran that were hindering the implementation of the IP gas pipeline project.

Officials said China had also expressed its desire to work on the remaining portion of the 80km pipeline from Gwadar to connect it with the Iranian border. China was lobbying to award the contract of this portion as per the cost decided for the Gwadar LNG pipeline.

A senior government official said Pakistan was working on LNG import projects but LNG supply was not a secured source because in case of war, this supply source could be halted.

He said this was the reason why the IP project was considered to be an essential as well as strategic project for Pakistan.

Is Pakistan really a dream destination for China?

“In case of some interruption in the supply of LNG, Pakistan will be able to get gas supply through the IP pipeline,” the official added.

The other reason was that prices of steel and other material for gas pipelines had dropped over the years. During the last PPP government, Iran had decided to lay the IP pipeline by nominating an Iranian company. Iran had also pledged $500 million financing for the project.

The offer of the Iranian company contract was $2.8 billion. German consultant ILF had estimated the contract cost at $1.8 billion. However, its cost had come down to $1.6 billion since.

The official said the approved cost of the LNG pipeline project by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) was $2 billion that included the $1.4 billion EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) cost and $600 million in duties to the government.

He said if the pipeline is extended up to the Iranian border, its cost as per the Gwadar LNG pipeline terms and conditions would come to $1.6 billion.

The official added that the government was working on a plan to set up two jetties at the Gwadar Seaport to deal with 1,200 mmcfd LNG where two floating terminals would be made operational.

The Chinese company would also work on the project as the EPC contractor and China would provide financing for it.

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November 3, 2016 Continued Thu All Day

LEARNING CHINESE CAN OPEN NEW BUSINESS AVENUES -APP Thursday, 03 November 2016 16:27 Posted by Parvez Jabri E-mail Print PDF Views: 40 imageLAHORE: Pakistani citizens by learning Chinese language will be able to avail business and professional opportunities created by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

President Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Mr Wang Zihai said this while addressing a meeting of the all Chinese language instructors associated with the PCJCCI here on Thursday.

He informed the PCJCCI had initiated Chinese language teaching system at a time when there was very little awareness among people about significance of learning Chinese language, and now thousands of people had benefitted from this initiative which was a grand honour for the PCJCCI. He assured of continuing this initiative with more vigour and effectiveness.

Wang Zihai also vowed to help learners of Chinese language to exploit linguistic strength in exchanging business and professions between Pakistan and China.

Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General and a number of the Executive Committee Members of PCJCCI, also attended the meeting.

Language instructors expressed fortitude for introducing new trends in teaching system to achieve distinguished results.

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November 4, 2016 Fri All Day

Chinese investors to bring $3 billion investment funds to Pakistan -- APP IMF congratulates PM on Pakistan’s economic achievements ISLAMABAD: A consortium of Chinese investment companies met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday and announced to bring $3 billion in investment funds to Pakistan.

Expressing its satisfaction with Pakistan’s progress in infrastructure, energy and development, the Chinese delegation lauded the country’s economic revival and said Pakistan was fully ready as well as capable of absorbing and capitalising Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

The visiting delegation also voiced its intent to explore the possibility of starting a new airline in Pakistan.

The consortium said it is actively pursuing investments in infrastructure, power, aviation and tourism sectors of Pakistan.

“We fully appreciate the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which enunciates that economic prosperity is an offshoot of infrastructure connectivity and selfsufficiency in the energy sector,” the delegation stated.

The delegates praised the country’s liberal investment regime, saying that it offers an “ideal and investor-friendly environment.”

Economic outlook Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on the occasion that Pakistan’s economic outlook has changed altogether in last three years, which is being acknowledged globally.

He pointed out Pakistan is among the year’s global top 10 improvers in Doing Business 2017 report. He added that Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has also upgraded Pakistan’s ranking from B- to B. The Prime Minister said that inflation is consistently on a downward trend and reduction in petroleum prices has also helped in decreasing inflation, with foreign exchange reserves increased to over USD 24 billion.

He said the country’s investment policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive framework for creating a business environment attractive to FDI. The Law of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has been made to meet the global challenges of competitiveness to attract FDI, he said.

Pak-China friendship Warmly welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister appreciated the Chinese delegation’s interaction with Ministries of Finance, Petroleum and Natural Resources Secretary Water and Power and Capital Development Authority.

On the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Prime Minister said it is a game changer that is going to transform the lives of billions of people of the region.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Chinese delegation would have a productive visit after the briefing on the immense potential for investment in Pakistan’s infrastructure, development, energy and communication sectors.

He further expressed his gratitude to the leadership and people of China for their strong all-weather support for Pakistan through and through.

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November 5, 2016 Sat All Day

Trade convoy to open venues of CPEC in CA, EU market -- Express Tribune

Islamabad—Director General (FWO) Major General Mohammed Afzal FWO has said that FWO synchronized trade activities with Chinese exporters and initiated first ever trade convoy will open venues of CPEC activities in Central Asia and European market.

DG-FWO said despite of great challenges and over 200 lives sacrificed, thousands injured in nation building projects, FWO is committed to carry out the idea of constructing strategic Pak-China international CPEC projects to connect motorway to Pakistan’s deep sea Gwadar Port and Arabian sea with utmost modesty.

He said FWO for long years is playing its vital role in the socio-economic development and nation building through its unmatched contribution to infrastructure development. CPEC will transfer of technology in building many mega-projects between both countries.

Frontier Works Organization (FWO) synchronized trade activities with Chinese exporters through a Chinese firm Sinotrans agreed Chinese goods under the framework overall 150 containers dispatched from Kashgar by end October 2016.

The officials have disclosed that first ever trade convoy of 45 Containers has been left via Kashgar-Gilgit to GWADAR from China at Sust. FWO & Sinotrans with the support of government security management and accommodation was a joint command centre established by FWO and Sinotrans. The sources said required additional input from Sinotrans by coordinating with local exporters through local logistic companies and Chambers of Commerce was made by FWO. Regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development, first ever mega trade convoy launched to the projection of CPEC as a secure and financially viable trade route of Chinese goods via sea route of Gwadar in Central Asia.

FWO made operational the western route after launching of first mega trade convoy of containers for Gwadar from Sost in a ceremony added that FWO synchronized with Sinotrans have successfully coordinated with Chinese exporter to initiate CPEC development and activities in the region.

Talking over the western rout of KP and Baluchistan provinces, he said it was a challenge through Panjgur and Turbat during construction of bridges, roads, tunnels, and dams with the support of civilians and provincial government.

These routes linking Pakistans Baluchistan and Frontier provinces with mighty mountainous ranges of Karakoram was about 870 KMs road nearby completed amazingly by the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).

Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M9), which was four lanes Super Highway, now converted into a 6 Lane will be completed in next year.

He said the motorway from Karachi to Gwadar linkage will further develop Pakistan with tremendous potential for commercial activities through CPEC and prosperity in the region, while the organization have changed overall situation after road infrastructure development and access of agriculture sector and restoration of normalcy to the lives of affected population due to backwardness and other law and order situation.

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November 8, 2016 Tue All Day

Gwadar-Quetta road to be completed next month -- Express Trebune

LAHORE: The development work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was in full swing and the Gwadar-Quetta road would be completed by next month, which was ahead of schedule, said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal.

Speaking at the inauguration of the International Business Conference and Exhibition (IBCE) 2016, organised by the provincial and federal governments as well as the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Iqbal said work on Dera Ismail Khan-Quetta road had also been initiated while the DI Khan-Burhan road would be completed by 2018.

CPEC: a positive outlook He said CPEC would bring prosperity to backward and far-off areas of the country.

“Special attention has been given to Sindh and Balochistan in the CPEC projects, as raw coal for coal-run projects can easily be provided in these two provinces,” he added.

“The government is paying attention to the capacity building of students to prepare them for challenges of the modern age,” said the minister.

The government had successfully tackled the challenge of terrorism and now terrorists were on the run, said the minister, adding, “we are witnessing unprecedented changes in every sector in modern times as it is the century of innovative ideas.”

Iqbal said the basic rationale behind holding the IBCE 2016 was to give a boost to Pakistan’s economy, highlight various dimensions of CPEC, widen government’s linkages with overseas companies and business firms, bridge the gap between academia and industry, set up a link between local and foreign companies, transfer latest technology and create opportunities for the youth.

The IBCE-2016 is being organised to highlight important sectors, which include clean energy, automobile, IT and telecom, textile, services, construction and housing, manufacturing, food and agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods.

CPEC for Punjab or Pakistan: Myth and reality Also speaking at the conference, Chief Adviser to Turkish President Iinur Cevik said Pakistan and Turkey shared special ties that were based on brotherly relations rather than on any strategic interests.

UMT Rector Dr Hasan Sohaib Murad revealed that they initially met with skepticism when they first took up the idea of organising an international business conference and exhibition.

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Work on Gwadar-Nawabshah pipeline to be started this month: officials -- The News

ISLAMABAD: China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB) is most likely to initiate sometime by end of current month construction work on the mega project of $1.325 billion 700km LNG pipeline to be laid down from Gwadar to Nawabshah.

The pipeline will be having the capacity to transport 1.952 bcfd out of which Gwadar is to be provided 100mmcfd gas in the first phase and when pipeline starts in taking Iranian gas, the port city will also be provided gas of 150mmcfd more. This is how in toto, Gwadar will be injected 250mmcfd gas from the pipeline, a senior official of the ministry told The News.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to this effect has put up the summary to ECC seeking the permission to sign the formal agreement with the Chinese company. Incase ECC approves the summary, formal agreement will be inked in the same week and the ground breaking of the project will kick off by end of 1895

November 8, 2016 Continued Tue November. The project will be completed and made operational by June 2018.

Mobine Saulat, Managing Director of Inter-State Gas System confirmed the likely positive development. The pipeline will be having the capacity to transport the gas of almost 2Bcfd (billion cubic feet gas per day) and to this effect four compressors would be installed in the pipeline as against the earlier plan of three compressors.

The pipeline will carry 1.2bcfd gas from the two RLNG terminals to be operational by the time when the pipeline will be commissioned in June 2018 and 750mmcfd gas from Iran when the pipeline will be extended back by 81 kilometers to Iranian border.

Both Pakistan and china in May 2016, initialed an agreement to build 700km gas pipeline to be laid down from Gwadar to Nawabshah at the cost of $1.35 billion after Price Negotiation Committee (PNC) finalised the cost of the project. And to this effect, Inter-State Gas System (ISGS) on behalf of Pakistan and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on behalf of China on May 11, 2016 initialised the agreement.

The project will be constructed with 85 percent financing from Chinese Company and 15 percent from government of Pakistan, and the price at which the gas line will be laid down is much below the estimated cost, top sources of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources told The News. The price of the pipeline had been negotiated under government to government mode at very competitive price of $1.325 billion which is cheaper than the project of augmentation of gas network completed by both the gas companies — Sui Northern and Sui Southern.

Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already accorded the approval to the LNG pipeline. The project will be completed under mode EPC-F (engineering, procurement, construction and financing).

According to the top officials, earlier Chinese side had come up with the offer to build the pipeline with diameter of 42 inches at the cost of $2 billion, but after hectic meetings of Price Negotiating Committee (PNC) in a row, the price of the pipeline had been finalised at close to $1.325 billion which is too much below the expectations. Sources said under the agreement basically the pipeline of 700km will be built and another 12km portion of pipeline will also be constructed from RLNG terminal to main pipeline and that particular portion will be part of LNG terminal.

Once the pipeline is completed, Pakistan will extend the same pipeline with four compressor stations by 81km backward from Gwadar to Iranian border as part of IP gas line.

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November 10, 2016 Thu All Day

Chinese containers to reach Gwadar on 12th -- Dawn

QUETTA: The first Chinese trade convoy, comprising 60 containers, will reach Gwadar on Saturday with goods for onward export from its port.

The vehicles arrived in Quetta amid tight security on Tuesday from Kashgar through the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and after a brief stay left for Gwadar in the evening.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri welcomed the convoy led by the chief adviser of the Xinjiang region.

The Chinese official told the chief minister that 200 containers were on way to the port.

The containers would reach Gwadar on Nov 12 and the Chinese companies would send the goods to the Middle East and African countries through ships from the port.

A representative of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) said products of Pakistani exporters were also included in the convoy.

He said the inaugural ceremony would be held in Gwadar on Nov 13 where political leaders, military officers and ambassadors of 15 countries would participate.

“This route will remain continuously in use after Nov 13,” he said.

He told the chief minister that oil China imported from Saudi Arabia usually reached Shanghai in 25 to 30 days, while through the Gwadar-Kashgar route it would take about 12 days.

“The goods China imports through the Gwadar port will reach Kashgar in five days,” the official said.

Not only would China save time by using this route but it would also be economically beneficial for both Pakistan and the neighbouring country, he added The chief minister termed the event an important progress towards implementation of the CPEC project.

He underlined the need for promotion of cooperation between Balochistan and Xinjiang.

The chief minister will visit Xinjiang next month on the invitation of the regional government.

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World Bank projects 5.4 per cent growth rate for Pakistan in 2018 -Dawn

Pakistan's economy is set to grow by a robust 5.4 per cent by 2018 as Chinese investment from a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project flows into the country, the World Bank predicted in a new report Thursday.

Pakistan, South Asia's second-biggest economy, is growing with security improving and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) claiming in October that it has emerged from economic crisis after completing a bailout programme, though it still faces major challenges.

Pakistan recorded a 4.7pc growth in gross domestic product (GDP) for the fiscal year ended June 2016, the highest rate in eight years, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has set an ambitious target of 5.7pc for the current year.

Nawaz is banking on structural reforms, the improved energy sector, taxation -- and China's ambitious $46 billion infrastructure project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking its western province of Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea via 1897

November 10, 2016 Continued Thu Pakistan.

The World Bank report appeared optimistic about Nawaz's plans, predicting even further growth in 2018.

“The pace of Pakistan's economic growth will accelerate to 5.4pc in fiscal 2018,” the Bank report said, observing that a moderate increase in investment mainly related to CPEC projects is expected to contribute to an acceleration of growth.

The bank also noted Pakistan's efforts to address grinding poverty, including with revised ways to measure it.

“Based on the revised poverty line, the percentage of people living below the poverty line decreased from 64.3pc in 2002 to 29.5pc in 2014,” the report said.

Illango Patchamutu, World Bank country director for Pakistan, said the country needs to push forward with deeper structural reforms, and that the World Bank stood ready to support such an agenda.

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November 13, 2016 Sun All Day

Over 17,000MW to be generated under CPEC projects -- APP

ISLAMABAD: As many as 17.045 megawatts of energy will be generated through energy projects spreading all across under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Official sources said that these energy projects initiated under the CPEC project would not only help overcome the existing energy crisis faced by the country but would produce surplus electricity for benefit of the country. They said that as many as 1,100 megawatt electricity generated through these projects would be included in the national grid by 2016.

During the year 2017 about 1,650MW electricity would be included in the national grid system while projects of 3,270MW capacity would become operational by 2018.

The additional projects of 2,250MW capacity would be completed after 2018, the sources said, adding the government had already initiated work on many of these projects majority of which would becompleted by 2018, official sources said.

Currently work on 1,320MW coal-fired power project Sahiwal is in progress and work 1,320MW Port Qasim Coal project is also going on which would generate 660MW electricity by 2017 while the remaining 660MW would be ready for consumption by 2018.

Similarly work on 600MW Engro Thar Coal project also continues on fast track which would produce 300MW electricity by 2017 and additional 300MW by 2018.

Work on 1,320MW Qadirabad Coal Project is also in progress which would include 660MW electricity in the national transmission system by 2017 while the remaining 660MW would be included in the system by 2018.

Electricity of 300MW would be added in the national grid from Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project by end of 2018 while the Hubco would give 660MW to national grid by 2018. Work on Thar Block-I has also been initiated to produce 660MW electricity by 2018 and additional 660MW after the year 2018. The 1000MW Quaid-i-Azam Solar Part in Bahawalpur and 250MW wind power plant in Sindh are also going on which would start generation from current year.

Likewise 720MW Krote Hydro Power Project and 870MW Sukhi Kinaru Hydro Power projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are also in pipeline which would be launched after 2018.

It is pertinent to mention here that many other energy projects are also part of the CPEC but these would be initiated after 2018. Other than CPEC projects China has investment in many other energy projects including Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project which would generate 969MW. Chashma Nuclear extension project would include 340 megawatt in the national grid this year while another chunk of 340MW would be included in the system 2017.

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PM INAUGURATES DEPARTURE OF FIRST MEGA PILOT TRADE CARGO AT GWADAR -- Radio Pakistan

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Nawaz Sharif says CPEC is poised to integrate all regions across Asia and Europe.

PM inaugurates departure of first mega pilot trade cargo at Gwadar 06:18 PM, 13 Nov, 2016 0 131 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and all projects under its umbrella are materialised in time.

He was addressing a ceremony of departure of the first mega pilot trade cargo at Gwadar Port today.

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November 13, 2016 Continued Sun The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a proud partner of China and today the dream of making Gwadar a pivot of trade is being materialized.

The Prime Minister said arrival of the Pilot Mega Trade Convoy in Gwadar from Kashgar is indeed a watershed event.

It will open new avenues of progress and prosperity for Balochistan as well as for whole of the country.

He said projects worth two hundred billion rupees will be launched next year for the Quetta-Khuzdar and Gwadar roads.

Expressing his resolve against terrrorism, the Prime Minister said the coward acts like yesterday`s blast at Shah Noorani shrine cannot weaken our commitmnet to root out the menace completely and forever.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Wiedong said the day is very significant for CPEC and to China Pakistan relations.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri welcomed the Chinese mega trade convoy and said Gwadar Port is the base of CPEC, which will bring prosperity to the country, particularly Balochistan.

Later, the Prime Minister formally saw off the first mega pilot trade cargo ship at the Gawadar Sea Port.

Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khwaja Mohammad Asif, Advisor on National Secutity Nasser Janjua, JUI(F) Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Air and Naval Chiefs, Commander Southern Command General Aamir Riaz, provincial Ministers and elected representatives also attended the ceremony.

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PM Nawaz arrives to inaugurate Gwadar Port -- Daily Pakistan

GWADAR – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Sunday arrived in Gwadar to attend a ceremony of the departure of the first mega pilot trade cargo from Gwadar Port.

Federal Ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and National Security Advisor Nasser Khan Janjua are accompanying the Prime Minister. National Party leader Mir Hasil Bazenjo and JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman are also accompanying the Prime Minister.

National Party leader Mir Hasil Bazenjo and JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman are also present in the inauguration ceremony.

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November 14, 2016 Mon All Day

PAK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN CHINA -- BR

KARACHI: A delegation of Pakistan's women entrepreneurs is currently visiting China to explore new avenues with their Chinese counterparts.

This is the first ever women delegation arranged by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan on a visit to China, under the directives of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, for developing business and trade ties with Chinese side in multiple fields.

The Embassy of Pakistan hosted a reception for the high level Women Delegation of entrepreneurs, said a message here Monday.

The delegation consisted of ten (10) members, headed by Secretary TDAP, Rabiya Javeri Agha. 38 Chinese companies dealing in textile, media, culture, trade and education were in the attendance at the reception addressed by Ambassador Masood Khalid.

The Ambassador welcomed the delegation and the Chinese guests and said that this is the first ever women entrepreneurs delegation on a visit to China in recent years and the timing is perfect for developing business links as we are celebrating the 65th anniversary of Pak-China Diplomatic Relations.

The Ambassador talked about a new era of cooperation between China and Pakistan in the wake of CPEC. The level of bilateral cooperation is poised to reach new heights with such growing interaction, he said.

The Ambassador highlighted the role women were playing in the socio economic uplift of Pakistan.

The Commercial Counsellor Dr. Erfa Iqbal made opening remarks.

The delegation members were introduced followed by remarks by the leader of the delegation who thanked the Pakistani Embassy for arranging such a fruitful session.

A business networking session between the Pakistani delegation and Chinese participants was held on the occasion.

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PAK-CHINA IT INDUSTRIAL PARK OPEN NEW VISTA OF PROMOTING IT IN SINDH -- BR

KARACHI: Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister on Information and Technology, Dr Sikander Ali Shoro has said that Pakistan-China IT Industrial Park "will open new vista of promoting IT sector in Sindh.

Since world has become global village, it was the need of the hour to introduce new and latest technology, he said.

This he said while signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Industries and Information Technology of China in China, said an official statement issued here on Monday.

Dr. Shoro said that with the help of this agreement, we will make effort to promote I.T in Sindh for the development of Information Technology.

It will also improve IT skills of youth and create IT awareness among people of the province, he added.

He said that we agreed to promote, exchange views, experiences, knowledge in the field of Information Technology and Industrial Development and strengthen the strong relations between province of Sindh and Peoples Republic of China.

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November 16, 2016 Wed All Day

MoU signed to set up Confucius centre -- Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) and the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication here on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understating for the establishment of a "Confucius Chinese Language Center".

The Minister of State for Education and Professional Technical Training attended the MoU signing ceremony. He congratulated the AIOU and the BIGC on establishing the "Confucius Language Center" at the AIOU. He said, "Our friends like China, showed confidence in us throughout our journey and we are thankful to them for their great support in every regard".

Talking about the CPEC, the minister of state said: "We witnessed a historical achievement a couple of days ago when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formally inaugurated the Gwadar Port.

The first shipment from China has reached and the port has been made operational for the economic activities which he described as "another milestone of our friendship". "This is an economic era and we are determined to make Pakistan an economically viable country," stated the minister. He said that there were certain elements outside the country which were not happy with "our" progress and who want to disrupt the CPEC "but we have our resolve intact," he emphasised.

Moreover he mentioned that the 650-km long highway between Quetta and Gwadar had been completed in a record time which showed "our dedication and commitment towards this project".

This "Confucius Center" should focus on distance learning as the AIOU is famous for the same and it should also focus on E learning to make it more viable, suggested the minister.

He further added that "many of our workers while working with the Chinese people, faced the greatest barrier of language, so in my opinion a focus must be shifted towards spoken courses of the Chinese language for technical and vocational education here in Pakistan.

Talking about the AIOU, the minister of state said that this university had remarkable access all over Pakistan, with its 44 regional campuses around the country. He also appreciated the team of the AIOU for opening up a language centre at Gwadar.

"Establishment of this Chinese learning centre at the AIOU is our educational response towards the CPEC (The China Pakistan Economic Corridor)," said the Vice Chancellor. He added that the Chinese language was going to play a pivotal role in the near future.

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November 17, 2016 Thu All Day

China to send master trainers to teach Chinese language -- Pak Observer

Lahore—China will send its master trainers to teach Chinese language in TEVTA Institutes. These trainers will teach Chinese language classes to general public in major cities across the province of the Punjab and business sector’s executives at Lahore. In this regard, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) and Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) here at TEVTA Secretariat.

Chief Operating Officer TEVTA Jawad Ahmed Qureshi and President Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Wang Ziha signed the MoU. Chairperson TEVTA Irfan Qaiser Sheikh, Secretary General PCJCCI Salah-ud-Din, TEVTA Officers Aamer Aziz, Akhtar Abbas Bharwana, Uzma Nadia, Umber Chattha and other officers were also present at this occasion.

According to the details of MoU, Irfan Qaiser Sheikh said that with the establishment of CPEC, Chinese language is mandatory for all our youth and business community as well. In first phase, Master Trainers are being invited for limited time period and after that services of Chinese experts will be extended. This initiative will promote technical education and vocational training especially in economic sector across the province of the Punjab.

Chairperson TEVTA further said that as per vision of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, we are giving latest vocational training to provide best manpower in different sectors across the province of the Punjab.

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November 18, 2016 Fri All Day

Railways acquires 71 acres of land in Gwadar to expand operations -Dawn

Minister for Railways Saad Rafiq informed the Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Thursday that arrangements were being made to pay Rs130 million dues to the Balochistan government for the purchase of 71 acres of land.

He said the government was expanding Pakistan Railways’ operations under the CPEC and more land was being acquired in Gwadar for setting up railway terminals, yards and tracks.

Mr Rafiq said the railways ministry would not take decisions in haste on railways projects under the CPEC and they would be implemented after a thorough scrutiny.

The government will seek loan from the Asian Development Bank for the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project which would convert the Lahore-Peshawar Main Line -1 (ML-1) into double-track.

The project is one of the early harvest projects under the CPEC. He said that in order to upgrade the railways system from Peshawar to Karachi, preliminary estimate showed that the project would cost at least $8.2 billion, and in this regard negotiations were under way for investment by the Chinese.

A framework agreement was also discussed during his recent visit to China, he said.

The minister said that multiple financing was allowed under the CPEC framework, and the railways ministry was currently preparing a feasibility study for the Main Line-2 (ML-2) project which would be ready in three months.

The project would be under the CPEC and a contract for the project would be awarded on the basis of international tendering.

He said the project would either be completed on the basis of build, operate and transfer or would be a joint venture.

He informed the committee that the feasibility study on laying tracks between Gwadar and Bisma would be finalised by February next year when a technical report on the alignment of tracks would be ready.

On the issue of illegal use of railways land by the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and a private hospital in Bahawalpur, the minister informed the committee that the Punjab chief minister had issued orders to resolve the matter.

The Bahawalpur DCO and the Punjab Revenue Board had accepted their mistake for illegally allotting the land to the DHA and the private hospital, he said.

The chairman of the standing committee, Sardar Fateh Mohammad Hasni, directed the railways ministry to ascertain from the provincial governments as to where and in which location the railway land had been encroached.

He suggested that the railways improve its system through commercialisation of its land.

Agreeing to the proposal, Mr Rafiq suggested a joint meeting of the parliament’s standing committees on railways to take a decision in this regard and it would be implemented by the railways ministry.

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November 20, 2016 Sun All Day

Plan to set up five more LNG terminals -- Dawn

LAHORE: The petroleum ministry is working on proposals for the construction of five more terminals at the Gwadar and Karachi ports for handling, regasification, storage, treatment and processing of 3,000 million cubic feet per day of liquefied natural gas (LNG) it plans to import by 2018.

At present, the Elengy Terminal is being operated by Engro Pakistan at Port Qasim for regasification of 400 to 450MMCFD of LNG imported from Qatar.

Since the terminal has the capacity of 600MMCFD, the government plans to import 200MMCFD more of LNG and add it into the system by January.

“After attaining the target of 600MMCFD of LNG import and its regasification at the Elengy Terminal, another 600MMCFD will be imported by June and for its handling and regasification, the construction of the second largest terminal has begun and that will be completed by May,” an official of the ministry told Dawn.

Import of fuel may reach 4,200MMCFD by 2018 “The Sui Southern Gas Company is set to accomplish next month the task of upgrading and laying pipelines for the purpose,” he said.

The Pakistan GasPort Consortium, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pakistan GasPort Limited, is establishing the country’s second LNG import terminal.

The government claims that the project will reduce the country’s gas deficit by 30 per cent and provide fuel for three regasified LNG power generation plants of 3,600 megawatts, being set up by the federal and provincial governments in Sheikhupura, Kasur and Jhang on a fast-track basis.

If the new proposals are approved, the government plans to build at least two LNG terminals in Gwadar and three at the Karachi ports.

China has also begun work on laying 42-inch diameter gas pipelines from Gwadar to Nawabshah for supplying LNG to new industrial estates planned to be developed along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“The LNG will also be supplied to the power sector, fertiliser and other industries, domestic and commercial sectors in view of their demand increasing fast with time,” the official said.

With the proposed construction of five new terminals, the total import of LNG would be 4,200MMCFD by 2018, he said.

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November 24, 2016 Thu All Day

Gwadar to get 250 mmcfd gas from RLNG pipeline -- Pak Observer

Islamabad—The Nawaz government has decided to provide 100 million cubic feet LNG per day to Gwadar from the RLNG terminals of 1.2 bcfd (billion cubic feet gas per day) to be installed at the Gwadar port. And 150 mmcfd gas will also be provided to Gwadar once the Iran will start exporting 750 mmfcd gas to Pakistan, a senior official told Pakistan Observer.

Both the RLNG and gas from Iran will be transported to the national grid under Gwadar-Nawabshah RLNG pipeline. So Gwadar will get in to 250 mmcfd gas through the RLNG pipeline and the decision has been taken on the request of government of Balochistan to cater to the energy needs of the port city.

China will install two RLNG terminals at Gwadar with the capacity to re-gasify the LNG of 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) at just the cost of $330 million.

Each RLNG terminal will be having the capacity to re-gasify 600 mmcfd. This will increase the economic viability of the 700 kilometre RLNG pipeline to be laid down by the Chinese company from Gwadar to Nawabshah, top official sources told Pakistan Observer.

Earlier, the sources said, the government’s plan to build one RLNG terminal at Gwadar with capacity of 600mmcfd at the cost of $300 million, but later on Chinese authorities’ offered to build another terminal with the same capacity at Gwadar and both will cost at $330 million.

At the very outset, the project was conceived under BOT (built, operate and transfer) basis, but now under latest scenario, it will now be erected under EPCFinancing mode.

China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau (CPPB) that has been assigned to build the 700 kilometres LNG pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah will also construct the two RLNG terminal.

The LNG pipeline will be constructed at the cost of $1.353 billion. Now the Price Negotiating Committee is engaged with Chinese experts on the cost of LNG terminal.

The project will be materialized with the loan at 2 percent interest for 20 years long period to be arranged from China EXIM bank by the China Pipeline Petroleum Bureau. To a question, the official said that the cost of $1.6 billion of both (pipeline and LNG terminal) has been worked out without taxes and duties.

The Gwadar-Nawabshah pipeline will be built on EPC-F (engineering procurement construction) with financing mode. The executive committee of national economic council (ECNEC) has already approved the said pipeline with 85 per cent financing from China and 15 per cent financing to be arranged by the government of Pakistan.

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November 26, 2016 Sat All Day

Boris wants UK firms part of CPEC activities -- The Dawn

LAHORE: Britain Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson has termed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a wonder project and desires UK firms to participate in its various construction activities.

“I am very excited about the CPEC idea. And I would like UK firms to participate in the construction of this fabulous venture,” Mr Johnson said while speaking to students and faculty of the Government College University (GCU) here on Friday.

“But this should be part of an even more ambitious vision that would revive the ancient Silk route and see the rebirth of trading caravans connecting East and West,” he added.

On a day-long visit to Lahore as a part of his ongoing tour to Pakistan, Mr Johnson said Karachi was even bigger than Lahore with 23 million people, the 6th largest city in the world. “History and location suggest that Karachi should be one of Asia’s biggest trading entrepot alongside Singapore or Shanghai.

Boris Johnson delivers a speech in the main hall of the Government College University.— Reuters Boris Johnson delivers a speech in the main hall of the Government College University.— Reuters “The only way to achieve that goal is closer economic integration. And I believe that Britain can play a part in helping you to realise this vision,” he said.Appreciating development in various sectors, the British foreign secretary said Pakistan had made a huge progress in recent past. “National security has improved and democracy strengthened. This civilian government took over from another civilian government in a manner that was peaceful and constitutional. But, of course, we all know that Pakistani citizens continue to face a grave threat from terrorism. He said he felt that as a result, this nation’s ambition had too often been held back by rivalry and mistrust. And coming here today, and talking to people, I am increasingly confident and that this will change. “My message to you all is that Britain wants to be with you to make this journey. I believe that bilateral trade between our two countries – just £2.7 billion – is not enough given our closeness,” he said.

Mr Johnson said one reason why he was in favour of leaving the EU was that he wanted Britain to widen the horizons of our foreign policy and reinforce our ties with our friends across the world, including Pakistan. “We are not leaving Europe. We will always be part of Europe. I want a global Britain to play an even stronger role on the world stage, maximising our assets as the fifth biggest economy in the world and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,” he said. The British secretary of state said next year he looks forward to celebrating Pakistan’s 70th anniversary of independence. There is a huge interest in the British Parliament and government in making our relationship even closer. “I want a much more dynamic relationship. And I am excited by the opportunities created by trade and commerce, which should be the central pillars of our friendship, as befits Pakistan’s location at the heart of Asia,” he said.

Earlier, the GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah welcomed Mr Johnson, took him to a tour of the campus and apprised him about the traditions and excellence of 153 years old educational institution and its role in development of Pakistan.

All Day

Russia allowed use of Gwadar Port -- The News

Moscow to have access to warm waters; Nawaz says many countries want to be part of CPEC; half of world population to benefit from project; South and Central Asia to be connected through road and rail; PM meets Turkmen president ASHGABAT: Pakistan has decided to accord approval to the Russian request for using the Gwadar Port for its exports as Moscow has also showed its willingness to be part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Following Iran and Turkmenistan, Russia has also decided to use the Gwadar Port for trade to have an access to warm waters, a top official privy to the development 1907

November 26, 2016 Continued Sat told The News.On top of it, Russia also wants to join the CPEC to reap the maximum dividends. In addition, Russia aspires to develop strategic defence ties with Pakistan. Islamabad has moved forward with a green signal allowing Russia to use the Gwadar Port for trade.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is on a two-day visit to Turkmenistan. During an informal chat with the journalists, after meeting with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow, he said that many countries wanted to join CPEC as half of the world would benefit from the project.

He announced building railways, road and fiber-optic along with TurkmenistanPakistan-Afghanistan-India (TAPI) 1,680-kilometer-long gas pipeline to enhance connectivity between South Asia and Central Asia for the benefit of about half of the world population living in this part of the world.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had a 100-minute-long meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow who disregarding the protocol came to his hotel for having a meeting with him.

The prime minister in his back-to-back meetings would attend an international conference on connectivity and transport and would have meetings with the world leaders reaching here for the conference.

The prime minister is here for taking a leap forward by extending the benefits of the CPEC to the Central Asian States. He welcomed the Russian Federation’s interest in becoming part of the CPEC and maintained that Pakistan would welcome participation of any country in the gigantic project. He vowed that the CPEC would guarantee the prosperity of Pakistan and assured the people that in about 10 to 15 years time, Pakistan would become an affluent country where the prosperity would become households. He said that TAPI would supply 400 billion cubic feet gas to the three member states in which Pakistan’s share would be three hundred billion feet of gas.

The two leaders also reviewed progress on the TAPI and expressed hope that it would ultimately fulfill Pakistan’s needs for gas and energy. He reminded that Pakistan, China, India and countries of the Central Asia and South Asia have about three billion people constituting about half of the world.

He recalled that President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow visited Pakistan early this year and now he had come to Ashgabat. “I have invited the president to visit Pakistan and stressed the need for alternatively visiting each other countries regularly. I have developed close personal friendship with President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow,” the prime minister said to a query that Pakistan and Turkmenistan would have air links as soon the PIA performance was further improved.

President Gurbanguly said that Turkmenistan wanted improved road links between the two countries so that his country should be able to export through Gwadar and Karachi ports. Prime Minister said TAPI, which is the largest gas project in the region, would help meet the gas demand in Pakistan.

He said that CPEC would bring progress to the entire region. He said besides cooperation in bilateral relations, regional and international issues were also discussed during the meeting with the Turkmen president. He said friendship between Pakistan and Turkmenistan was strengthening with the passage of time.

He said the top leadership of the two countries should meet every year.

Earlier, the prime minister was received by the deputy prime minister of Turkmenistan and high officials of Pakistani Embassy.

During his stay, the prime minister will attend Global Conference on Sustainable Transport being held under the auspices of the United Nations. The Conference will discuss promotion and role of sustainable transport towards achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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November 26, 2016 Continued Sat Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would present his vision about connectivity and development of infrastructure. The United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Banki-Moon, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will also be present in the conference.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi and Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Fawad Hasan Fawad are the part of Pakistan entourage.

Earlier the sources in Islamabad suggested that Russian desire to be part of CPEC and use Gwadar Port indicated a new alignment in relations after decades’ sour ties between Pakistan and Russia.

It was being branded a welcoming development and the ice had melted to this effect in the recent meeting of spy masters of both the countries that was held in Islamabad.

Alexander Bortnikov, chief of Russian Intelligence Federal Security Services and former chief of KGB, in recent days visited Islamabad after 14 years and held meetings with intelligence and defence top officials. More importantly Bortnikov also held crucial meeting with Pakistan’s spy master — ISI chief Lt General Rizwan Akhter.

While talking to journalists, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is on two-day visit to Turkmenistan, also welcomed the Russian decision to join CPEC. However, in the meetings of Alexander Bortnikov with top officials of Pakistan requested to join CPEC and in return Pakistan gave positive signal allowing Russian to go for trade through Gwadar and to have access to warm water. In this regard the formal agreements will be signed between the two countries in the months to come.

With the desire of Turkmenistan and Iran for utilizing Gwadar Port for gas export will make the port international energy corridor.

Pakistan, the official said, would not only get the transit fee, but would also earn from the facilities such as LNG terminal. “So much so, Pakistan will also be able to get more intake of LNG, if required,” he said.

“If the gas trade of both the countries through Gwadar Port gets materialised, this will boost the image of the port to new high.”

Managing Director of Inter-State Gas System Mobin Saulat confirmed the development saying that the desire by both the gas producing countries was a welcoming development as in case it happened it would be win-win situation for all stakeholders --- Turkmenistan, Iran and Pakistan. Pakistan will earn a lot for giving the transit to gas of Tukeministan and Iran. Likewise it will also earn in the case of Russia, too.

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November 27, 2016 Sun All Day

Railways to set up office in Gwadar -- The News

Pakistan Railways has decided to establish a sub-divisional office in Gwadar.

Railways Federal Minster Kh Saad Rafique chaired a meeting at Railways Headquarters, Lahore, for railway link with Gwadar Port for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Saad said the project must be foolproof as the standards of the high profile project would not be compromised. Moreover, a sub-divisional office would be established in Gwadar. Double track and auto block system would be introduced in the project, he said. Manned and unmanned level crossings should be secured at any cost, he said. He formed a committee which would prepare report to secure the crossings.

Ijaz Husain, consultant of Gwadar Project formulation, with other four members briefed the meeting on the feasibility study’s current situation with regard to new link from Gwadar, Basima, Mastaung, Basima to Khuzdar.

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November 29, 2016 Tue All Day

U.K., France, Russia Want To Join Pakistan-China’s CPEC [UPDATED] -- Value Walk

Russia is not discussing the possibility of joining CPEC with Islamabad. “The Pakistani media reports about secret negotiations between Russia and Pakistan on the implementation of projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are not true to the facts,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said in a press release.

The CPEC is apparently becoming a new association (like BRICS), as many countries are showing interest in being part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. With ambitions to even become a new union (like European Union, but not limited only to Europe), the CPEC, co-created by Pakistan and China, has already attracted big international players such as Russia, the U.K. and France.

China Pakistan CPEC The $51 billion project has been all over the news lately, not only because it’s a game-changer for China, Pakistan and Asia as a whole, but also because there’s a theory that India could start a military conflict over the CPEC. But seeing how many nations are siding with the CPEC, it’s very unlikely that India would start a war over it.

Interestingly, Russia’s bid to join the CPEC comes as a yet another indication that Moscow, which has been India’s key weapons supplier for decades, is abandoning India for Pakistan. It seems that Russia has more chances than any other country to join the CPEC, as theories about a possible China-Russia-Pakistan superpower triangle keep piling up. The CPEC may be that formal launchpad to form an alliance between Beijing, Moscow and Islamabad.

CPEC is foundation for China-Russia-Pakistan superpower triangle But what’s all the fuss about? Is the CPEC really becoming the new BRICS? It could be so.

Just days ago, Russia and Pakistan reportedly held backdoor meetings which led Moscow to formally request access to Gwadar Port and ask China and Pakistan to be part of the lucrative multi-billion-dollar project. According to sources cited by Pakistan’s Daily Times, the chief of Russia’s intelligence agency, Federal Security Services, made a secret visit to Pakistan.

Russian intelligence officials and Pakistani high officials reportedly discussed strengthening their bilateral defense and military ties. The two nations also reportedly expressed interest in reshaping the cooperation between their intelligence agencies. The Russian intelligence chief was also said to have visited Gwadar, which is a key point of the CPEC, a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines that connects Kashgar and Gwadar.

Russian officials were also reportedly satisfied with the economic opportunities offered by the CPEC and, according to the media outlet’s sources, even expressed interest in using Gwadar Port for international trade. The Russians were also said to have pledged to make investments in various sectors of Pakistan to deepen their economic ties.

Is CPEC the end of India and Russia’s friendship?

Although Russia and Pakistan were Cold War-era rivals, the two have greatly amended their relations in the last two years. Their new friendship, which has been backed by military deals and joint military exercises, is attributed to the fact that with the help of Islamabad, Russia wants to get closer to China, which is Pakistan’s traditional ally.

India, Pakistan’s traditional and historical enemy, can’t be happy about Russia’s warm ties with Islamabad of late. Russia is well aware that India is a strong 1911

November 29, 2016 Continued Tue opponent of the CPEC, and joining the project would probably mark the formal end of their friendly ties.

India has several problems with the CPEC and has already made several documented attempts to sabotage the project. But one of the biggest problems it has with the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan project is that it passes through the disputed Kashmir region. Both Islamabad and New Delhi claim Kashmir as their own territory and have already waged three wars over it. Tensions in the region were recently reignited after 19 Indian soldiers were, according to the Indian government, killed by Pakistan-based militants.

Joining the CPEC would mean Russia is serious about its intentions to turn away from India, which could eventually lead to forming a formal or informal alliance with Pakistan and China.

Is the CPEC the new EU for the U.K. after Brexit?

While Pakistan and China have yet to look into Russia’s request to join the CPEC, Vladimir Putin’s country is not the only nation that wants to join the lucrative project.

The United Kingdom, Turkey and France have also been pretty assertive and vocal about their intentions to join the Pak-Chinese Corridor. Officials from other European countries are also reportedly in negotiations with Pakistani and Chinese officials to start projects regarding the CPEC. But the most promising addition to the China-Pakistan project is probably the United Kingdom, which is currently in the long process of leaving the European Union.

After Britons voted in favor of Brexit this past summer, the U.K. sees the need to bring its investments into non-EU projects, and the CPEC could become this very platform for investments.

U.K. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson echoed his country’s interest in the CPEC during his most recent visit to Pakistan last Friday. Johnson even called the CPEC “a wonder project” and expressed his desire for U.K. companies to participate in various projects of it.

“I am very excited about the CPEC idea. And I would like UK firms to participate in the construction of this fabulous venture,” Johnson said while addressing the students and faculty of the Government College University in Lahore. “But this should be part of an even more ambitious vision that would revive the ancient Silk route and see the rebirth of trading caravans connecting East and West.”

Boris Johnson invites U.K. investors to Pakistan Johnson also said that Karachi should be Asia’s “biggest trading entrepot” alongside Singapore and Shanghai. The British Secretary of State also pledged that his country will “play a part” in helping Pakistan achieve closer economic integration.

He praised Islamabad for making a huge progress in recent years, noting that national security in Pakistan has improved while democracy has been strengthened. Those are the two key points to attracting investors, as they serve as an indication of stability in the country. So his words may be interpreted as a direct invitation to British firms to invest in various sectors of Pakistan and become part of the CPEC. “My message to you all is that Britain wants to be with you to make this journey. I believe that bilateral trade between our two countries – just £2.7 billion – is not enough given our closeness,” Johnson also said.

France keen on joining the CPEC Investments from such major European countries as the U.K. could give a huge 1912

November 29, 2016 Continued Tue boost to the CPEC. In fact, many other European countries such as Germany, Italy, Spain and others could follow suit to also get a piece of the lucrative CPEC-pie.

France already seems to be onboard. Earlier this month, Jean Marc Fenet, head of the Embassy of France’s Regional Economic Department for India and South Asia, expressed his country’s interest in becoming part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Addressing the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Fenet said France views Pakistan as a huge and prosperous market for business.

Fenet added that his country is keen to further strengthen bilateral trade and economic relations between the two nations. Praising the CPEC for creating many business and investment opportunities, Fenet said that France is taking a huge interest in the South Asia country. In a message that was backed by the French Embassy’s Head of Economic Department, Philippe Fouet, Fenet also said that his country has what Pakistan needs to boost its economy – the advanced technology and expertise.

CPEC is China and Pakistan’s trump card Pakistan seems to be open to welcoming others to become part of the CPEC. Last Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his country would be happy to see any country join the China-Pakistan Economic

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November 30, 2016 Wed All Day

Pak-China research centre opens at UoS -- The Nations

All Day

Turkey To Join Pakistan, China, Russia Superpower Bloc? -- Value Walk

SARGODHA-A joint research centre for Dry Land Agro Ecology, jointly established

by Pakistan and China at University of Sargodha started functioning here on Tuesday.

Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Fazal Abbas Maken inaugurated the centre, set up by the Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad (PSF) and the University of Sargodha in collaboration with Lanzhou University, China.

Lanzhou University Vice President Prof Gao Xicai, PSF Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Ashraf and UoS Vice Chancellor Dr Nazra Sultana were also present on the occasion.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Fazal Abbas Maken said that China is the iron brother of Pakistan and both the countries are going to start educational, research and agricultural development programmes.

The Lanzhou University VP said that his country would provide economic, educational and research support for agricultural development in Pakistan. PSF chairman Dr Ashraf said there is extra-ordinary talent in the UoS agricultural scientist, which must be utilised for the development of agriculture. UoS VC Dr Nazra Sultana said that with the Chinese help, every project, especially those pertaining to education and research would be successful. Dean Faculty of Agriculture Dr Muhammad Afzal also address to the ceremony.

Turkey has just fueled speculations about a possible superpower rectangle between Turkey, Pakistan, China and Russia. While indications that the PakistanChina-Russia superpower triangle is becoming a reality keep piling up, other nations are expressing their interest in joining the new bloc, which could become a game-changer for Asia and the world as a whole.

Just days after his visit to Pakistan in mid-November, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan suggested that his country should pursue joining a bloc dominated by China and Russia. Erdogan said his country doesn’t need to be fixated on joining the European Union and should join forces with China, Russia and Pakistan instead. Although Turkey has had decades-long hopes of joining the EU, apparently there’s an alternative for Ankara if the EU keeps stalling talks about Turkey’s membership.

Turkey wants to be part of Pakistan-China-Russia triangle If Turkey–which has just held talks with Pakistan about strengthening their economic and military ties–joins the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), it would be a clear indication that Pakistan, China and Russia are gaining a new-old friend on their team. If Turkey gives up its efforts to join the EU, we could see the rise of the Pakistan-China-Russia-Turkey rectangle, an even more powerful alternative to the Pak-China-Rus triangle.

In fact, Erdogan said he had already discussed the idea of his country joining the SCO, which is dominated by China, Russia and Central Asian nations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Erdogan’s comment that Turkey doesn’t need to join the EU “at all costs” is a breakthrough development in Turkey-EU relations, which have reached their lowest in the aftermath of the failed anti-government coup on July 15.

Is the SCO the new EU after the U.K.’s Brexit?

The EU is currently reeling from the loss of the United Kingdom, which voted in favor of leaving the European bloc this past summer. Turkey’s setting off on a course to joining the security bloc dominated by China and Russia is an indication that Ankara also doesn’t want to put up with Europe’s accusations that Turkey is losing its democratic freedoms.

“I hope that if there is a positive development there, I think if Turkey were to join the Shanghai Five, it will enable it to act with much greater ease,” Erdogan told 1914

November 30, 2016 Continued Wed reporters on his plane while traveling back from a visit to Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

The SCO, which was formed in 2001, is a regional security bloc that consists of China, Russia and four Central Asian nations: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Another indication that Turkey is seeing a prosperous future if it sides with Pakistan, China and Russia is the fact that Turkish investors have expressed an increased interest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). If Turkey becomes part of the CPEC, it would be a game-changer for Ankara as well as Beijing and Islamabad, co-founders of the project.

Pakistan and Turkey reaffirming their friendship Turkey and Pakistan have recently seen a huge boost in their bilateral relations.

During his visit to Pakistan nearly two weeks ago, Erodgan said Ankara and Islamabad should strengthen their strategic partnership and drive bilateral trade up.

Turkey and Pakistan have enjoyed close cultural, historical and military ties for decades, and Ankara’s support of Islamabad in its decades-long conflict with India serves as the foundation of their growing strategic partnership.

China, Pakistan’s closest ally in the region, is also enjoying close economic and military ties with Turkey. Ankara is also one of Pakistan’s key weapons sellers, while it also purchases arms from it.

Turkey, China and Russia favor Pakistan over India From a diplomatic point of view, China, Russia, Pakistan and Turkey are already manifesting signs of forming some kind of a bloc, or superpower rectangle, if you may. While Ankara supports Pakistan’s position on holding a plebiscite under the United Nations to decide if the disputed Kashmir region should be part of Pakistan or India, Erdogan’s country went far beyond that.

At a Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting in November, Turkey supported Pakistan’s membership in the group, which regulates international nuclear commerce, while rejecting India’s bid. China and Russia also sided with Ankara and rejected India’s bid to join the NSG. Interestingly, neither India nor Pakistan has ever signed the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT). But Turkey, China and Russia apparently see that it’s safe to accept Pakistan while rejecting India’s bid to join the group that regulates trade in atomic material. If that’s not an indication of friendship and commitment to have each other’s back, then what is it?

Pakistan to buy super-fast vessels from Turkey and China To further strengthen ties with both China and Turkey, Pakistan already has plans to purchase super-fast vessels from Beijing and Ankara to form a special squadron to be positioned at the Gwadar port in Balochistan, according to the Hindustan Times.

“A squadron may have four to six warships,” an unnamed Pakistan Navy official said during the IDEAS 2016 defense exhibition in Pakistan, according to the media outlet.

The official added that the super-fast ships would be purchased “soon” because Pakistan sees an urgent need to have a powerful fleet positioned at Gwadar to secure the deep sea port. The official also revealed that two warships have already been deployed at the seaport.

China has already agreed with the Pakistan Navy to send its naval vessels to safeguard Gwadar and trade under the CPEC. 1915

November 30, 2016 Continued Wed Pakistan-China-Russia-Turkey rectangle: Is it happening?

Interestingly, Erdogan has previously expressed interest in joining forces with China and Russia in the SCO. But the Turkish president has always stopped short of formally requesting to join the bloc because it would disrupt Ankara’s long-standing EU membership bid.

In November 2015, Erdogan seemingly gave up his plans to join the SCO after his country’s air force downed a Russian warplane over Syria, which resulted in tensions between the two nations. But a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, and during their latest meeting in August, Erdogan and Putin expressed mutual interest in restoring their once-close ties.

While Russia and Turkey are still catching up and amending their relations, China and Pakistan are enjoying very close and prosperous ties with Ankara. But if the four nations decide to formally show the world their intentions to stand by each other – and form the Pakistan-China-Russia-Turkey rectangle – it would be a diplomatic, military and economic game-changer for the whole world.

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December 2, 2016 Fri All Day

Pak-China direct rail and sea freight service launched -- The Nations

BEIJING - China and Pakistan have launched direct rail and sea freight service, linking southwest China's inland Yunnan province and Pakistan's largest port of Karachi, Chinese state-run media reported on Thursday.

The freight line will cut transport cost by over 50 percent compared with past services, Xinhua news said in a report.

A cargo train loaded with 500 tonnes of commodities left Kunming, capital of Yunnan, for Karachi on Wednesday, marking the opening of the new route.

"The route helps locals businesses connect with the world market," a representative from the New Silk Road Yunnan Limited said.

The new rail, sea freight will cut logistics cost, including that of transport, by 50 per cent compared to past services, the news agency reported. The service is a part of China's Maritime Silk Road initiative, of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC) is an extension. Pakistan and China kicked off first trade activities under CPEC in October as over a hundred Chinese containers arrived at the Sust port in Hunza, following clearance from customs.

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December 7, 2016 Wed All Day

CPEC & significance of maritime security -- Pak Observer

WHOEVER rules the waves, rules the world, wrote Mahan, who believed that national power and prosperity depended on control of the seas. His thesis was true then and it stands true today. Sea routes have been used by mankind for trade and commerce for over 3000 years. Sea-ward wars and battles have also been fought to protect those naval routes to enhance economic hegemony and shape geopolitics. The significance of seas can be gauged from the fact that two-thirds of the world population lives on coastal regions. 90 percent of international trade is seaborne. Transportation via seas is approximately 10 times cheaper than rail, 45 times cheaper than road and 163 times cheaper than air.

The importance of the CPEC project along with the Gwadar Port at its apex have been addressed to and discussed by experts and political gurus all round the globe and since all this economic activity will ultimately take place via seas and oceans, the significance of the Indian ocean and its maritime security just cannot be ignored.

Apart from providing a most economical route for trade connectivity between China, Pakistan and rest of the world, CPEC (and Gwadar Port) will provide better connectivity to the energy rich Central Asian Republics (CARs) and act as transit and trans-shipment port for Central Asia. The Gwadar Port can also be used as a hub-port for the Gulf States as well.

Pakistan military has taken several notable initiatives to ensure onshore and afloat security of the CPEC and Gwadar Port. The security of Gwadar port, Chinese personnel working there and all the included infrastructure have been entrusted into the capable hands of Pakistan Navy. According to open sources, the Pakistan Navy is adopting a multi-pronged approach to tackle all the challenges. Those steps include increasing the overall security apparatus of Gwadar Port, conducting security patrols and conducting coastal exercises. Pakistan Navy is also enhancing its Maritime Domain Awareness and engaging in Collaborative Maritime Security which as the name suggests is in association with regional and extra regional navies.

The Navy has also created a separate force consisting of Pakistan Marines for the protection of Gwadar Port and Chinese personnel. The name of the force is Force Protection Battalion (FPBn). The size of this force is subject to increase as related activities on the port will increase. Apart from the conventional threats, Pakistan Navy is also preparing its defences regarding any asymmetric threats to Pakistani ports and coast.

Constant surveillance and monitoring of maritime area of interest is being done by Pakistan Navy at all times and for this purpose, the Navy has deployed state-of-theart radar networks, electro-optic sensors and pickets. This not only helps to fill any gaps that might be left in conventional means of protection but also generate timely and well-coordinated response if any threats are mitigated by non-state actors.

Pakistan Navy, to strengthen maritime and coastal security setup has also established Coastal Watch Stations and Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC). This not only helps the navy to gather and compile valuable information but also enables it to synergize coordinated operations by different security agencies in maritime domain.

No country in the world can face the challenges posed in the realm of maritime security due to the given nature of modern maritime challenges and for that reason Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with navies of different countries and engages in different activities to improve interoperability and handle maritime crimes (such as joining 2004 US-led multinational Task Force-150). This not only keeps Pakistan Navy up to speed regarding modern challenges in the maritime domain but also keeps the navy a finely tuned and oiled war machine that is ready to face any regional and extra-regional challenge to national security. Pakistan Navy is fully cognisant that navies are also responsible for fostering a country’s foreign policy objectives and to this end the Pakistan Navy is constantly striving to foster stronger relations with the regional and extra-regional navies to create a safer security environment where economic activity can take place without any threat or risk.

The whole world has realised the immense significance of the CPEC project and Gwadar Port. Regional and extra regional states desperately want to get in on this project to benefit from its exploits. Countries and powers who are trying to sabotage CPEC and Gwadar port through direct and indirect means should be mindful of the fact that Pakistan and its Armed Forces are fully aware of their designs and are also capable and prepared to destroy anyone who dares to cast an evil eye on the 1918

December 7, 2016 Continued Wed security of these projects and the overall national security of Pakistan.

All Day

Uzbekistan eyes Gwadar to reach World Market, urges direct access to Pakistan -- DND

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: The Chairman of Uzbekistan Senate’s Foreign Policy Committee Sodiq Solihovich Safoyev said that Gwadar Port was an Uzbek ambition to reach at, and stressed capitalizing potential of Pak-Uzbek bilateral relationship.

In an exclusive interview with Dispatch New Desk (DND) news agency Chief Editor Agha Iqrar Haroon in Tashkent, Sodiq Safoyev said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan were regional allies, and they had enormous opportunities to cooperate in the fields of economy, culture and security.

“Cooperation with Pakistan is one of the highest priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy,” Sodiq Safoyev said.

Sodiq Safoyev, who was the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan from March 2003 to February 2005, said that though Pak-Uzbek bilateral relationship had great potential to flourish and in this regard, several bilateral meetings took place between the top leadership of both the Countries in the past.

However, he added, certain reasons such as unavailability of direct access to each other was causing hurdles in strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

“The potential of Pakistan-Uzbekistan bilateral relationship is yet to be capitalized,” he said. agha-iqrar-haroon-interviews-sodiq-solihovich-safoyev sodiq-solihovich-safoyev-with-agha-iqrar-haroon The Uzbek Senate’s Foreign Policy Committee Chairman said that opening and development of trade routes between Pakistan and Uzbekistan would help facilitating the linkages between these two potentially very promising markets.

Sodiq Solihovich Safoyev said that multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could help Uzbekistan to reach World Market via sea.

“We are pleased to hear that CPEC, connecting China with Pakistan, has begun functioning this year,” Sodiq Safoyev said.

Sodiq Safoyev said that Tashkent had already been working with Beijing to build a direct rail link between Uzbekistan and China, adding that CPEC would open up new opportunity for connecting us.

“Since Uzbekistan is a land-locked Country; therefore seaport like Gwadar would help Uzbekistan to have access to the World Market,” he noted.

Sodiq Safoyev said that in the future, Gwadar would be the closest port for Uzbekistan and it was one of the ambitions of Uzbekistan to get access to Gwadar port.

In reply to a question regarding Parliamentary relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, Sodiq Safoyev said that parliamentarians could play a very constructive role in not only boosting Pak-Uzbek cooperation but also fulfilling Tashkent’s ambition to have access to Gwadar port.

The Uzbek Senate’s Foreign Policy Committee Chairman said that he visited Islamabad in August 2016 and during talks with Pakistani Parliamentarians, both sides agreed that in contemporary world, bilateral relations couldn’t be limited only to government-to-government contacts.

“It is not the monopoly of their ministers of foreign affairs,” he said.

Sodiq Safoyev said that without corporating the role of Parliamentarian diplomacy, 1919

December 7, 2016 Continued Wed the bilateral relationship would not have a full Character.

“Parliamentarian contacts provide kind of a depths to their relationship,” Sodiq Safoyev was of the view.

Firstly, we required creating a legislative framework of our contacts to harmonize our laws and to make business-friendly environment, he said adding that it would create some incentives for investors and businessmen to trade and create joint ventures.

Secondly, it’s very important for region to region contacts. Lastly, Parliaments in most countries were playing more active role in controlling the governments for the sake of people’s desires and hopes, and controlling the implementation of international laws.

“I think Parliamentarians can do a lot for activating our bilateral relationships in all dimensions,” Sodiq Safoyev said.

In reply to a question about prospects for Pak-Uzbek ties in next decade, Sodiq Safoyev said that since both Pakistan and Uzbekistan shared common desires of strengthening of bilateral cooperation, both the countries needed to pursue common goals.

“We are living in a very challenging era as a lot of uncertainty and unexpected events are happening throughout the world. It is very difficult for anyone to make long-term or medium-term prognosis but yet there are certain fundamentals which cannot be avoided,” he said.

Sodiq Safoyev said that both Pakistan and Uzbekistan wanted to cooperate, and they were so close to each other historically, ideologically and by aspirations of their people.

Sodiq Safoyev said that Pakistani people wanted to visit Bukhara and Samarkand, and at the same time Uzbek people always dreamt to visit Pakistan and had an access to their brothers over there.

For this, he added, we required to do three things. Firstly, we needed security in our countries and region as its’ fundamental for our cooperation.

“Unless we are at peace situation in the region, all the talks about our wonder projects will be mere proclamation rather than pragmatic plans,” Sodiq Safoyev said.

Sodiq Solihovich Safoyev, who is also a former Special Advisor of Uzbek President on Afghanistan, said that we all should have struggled for security and eradicating transnational threats like terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, organized crime etc etc.

Secondly, he said, we needed direct linkages and development of transport corridors for connecting us.

“We need peace in Afghanistan which will allow us to build up railroads and pipelines which will bring energy to Pakistan and Pakistani goods to Central Asian Countries,” said.

Sodiq Safoyev further said that in a bid to intensify Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations, both the Countries should also have started exploring common Islamic heritage of great philosophers and thinkers who used to live in these two Countries.

1920

December 8, 2016 Thu All Day

China's Shanghai Electric to invest USD 9bn in Pak upgrades -- Business Standard China's Shanghai Electric plans to spend USD 9 billion overhauling electricity infrastructure in Karachi, a minister said, just months after the multinational revealed it was buying a Pakistan power company.

China is ramping up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a USD 46 billion project unveiled last year that will link its far-western Xinjiang region to Pakistan's Gwadar port with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades.

In a presentation made to Pakistani authorities, Shanghai Electric said it would invest an average of $700 million a year until 2030 to increase capacity, improve cabling and target bill defaulters.

"The investment would be utilised in distribution, generation, transmission" and training, Miftah Ismail, minister for state and chairman of Pakistan's Board of Investment told AFP on Wednesday.

The investment would also aim to tackle widespread electricity theft and other losses that cost about $269 million a month in the city, partly by replacing aboveground grid stations with underground ones.

Shanghai Electric announced in August it would buy a majority stake in K-Electric, which is owned by Abraaj Group of Dubai, for USD 1.7 billion, which would be Pakistan's biggest ever private-sector acquisition.

1921

December 9, 2016 Fri All Day

First-ever Chinese Ambassador Scholarship established at QAU -- BR

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong here on Thursday inaugurated the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship program for undergraduate and MPhil students at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU). In this connection, an agreement was signed by the ambassador Sun and QAU Vice Chancellor Dr Javed Ashraf. The ambassador also handed over a cheque of dollar 29,500 to the University for implementing the program.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador said the scholarship was the "first of its kind" offered by the Chinese Embassy to students of a public sector University in Pakistan. In an academic year, each of the ten selected students enrolled in the under-graduate and MPhil degree programs will receive an amount of Rs 150,000 on need and merit basis. The Scholarship was established with the aim to help the University's students overcoming their financial difficulties to undertake their future study and promote academic activity under the Pakistan-China friendship program.

It also meant to encourage talented students, enabling them to play their role in the country's socio-economic development.

Eulogizing the growing Sino-Pak socio-economic partnership, the Chinese ambassador said that the two countries are like iron brothers, who always trusted and supported each other. This friendship is deeply rooted in the hearts of their people.

Referring to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, it elevated their friendship to a new height. "This friendship has entered into a new stage of ground development in the form of CPEC under which 17 major projects have been started across the country. These projects would bring a major change in socio economic development of Pakistan, offering enormous employment opportunities, fulfilling the dreams of the skilled youth," he added. Dr Ashraf thanked the ambassador for selecting Quaid-i-Azam University, initiating the ambassador scholarship program.

Dean Faculty of Social Sciences.

1922

December 13, 2016 Tue All Day

Pakistan Navy's special 'Task Force-88' set up to guard Gwadar port’s sea lanes -- Dawn Pakistan Navy's special 'Task Force-88' (TF-88) was established Tuesday for maritime security of Gwadar port and protection of associated sea lanes against both conventional and non-traditional threats.

An International Maritime Conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held at Gwadar today to commission the TF-88 force.

The creation of the special maritime force has been necessitated by the operationalisation of CPEC, which is expected to lead to a surge in maritime activity at Gwadar — the nodal point for CPEC — and the sea lanes. This has in turn increased the maritime susceptibilities there.

TF-88 is to comprise ships, Fast Attack Craft, aircraft, drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), and surveillance assets. Additionally, marines would be deployed at sea and around Gwadar for security operations, according to a senior Navy official.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri attended the conference.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was to attend the conference but his flight from Lahore was delayed due to dense fog, Admiral Zakaullah said.

All Day

PM Nawaz to inaugurate Global Conference in Gwadar today

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Gwadar on Tuesday to inaugurate the Global Conference.

According to details, the premier will also go to Turbat, Pishin and Quetta.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri will host dinner for the PM at Pishin.

Nawaz Sharif is expected to visit Turbat, where he will inaugurate Hoshab Road.

Gwadar is an extremely crucial city which has a vital role to play in the ChinaPakistan Economic Project, an economic corridor which links China’s Xinjiang province to the port city in Balochistan.

Chinese goods will be shipped from Gwadar and exported to all parts of the world from the deep sea port.

1923

December 14, 2016 Wed All Day

CPEC, GWADAR DEVELOPMENT WILL PROVE TO BE GAME CHANGER FOR ENTIRE REGION: PM -- Radio Pakistan

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Hoshab-Pangur-Sorab road at Turbat on Wednesday. The 448 kilometer road, which is important component of the Western Corridor of CPEC, has been completed at a cost of over 22 billion rupees to link Gwadar Port with National Highway network. It will also provide shortest link to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.

The Prime Minister described completion of this vital project as making of new Balochistan and new Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that its completion would create enormous economic and commercial activities and help overcome the challenge of poverty, backwardness, ignorance and unemployment in the region.

Mian Nawaz Sharif regretted that Balochistan remained neglected in the past but the present Government is fully resolved to bring it at part with other province. He said development and progress is right of people of Balochistan and it is duty of the Government to give them this right.

The Prime Minister said Balochistan has been bestowed with immense natural resources exploitation of which cannot only change fate of the province but also the country. He said CPEC and development of Gwadar would prove to be game changer for the province, the country and the entire region.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday developmental activities are visible in each and every corner of the country. A number of motorways, highways and roads besides bridges and other infrastructure projects are being undertaken in different areas.

He said a number of power plants are coming up and as a consequence the country would get rid of the menace of load-shedding.

The Prime Minister said his Government is pursuing the path of economic development while its opponents are only indulging in negative politics. He said people of Pakistan would make a decision on the basis of actual work in 2018 general elections.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister announced construction of Hoshab-AvaranLasbela road, to be jointly financed by the Federal and the Provincial Governments.

1924

December 16, 2016 Fri All Day

PAKISTAN, CHINA TERM NEW CHANDELIER AT QUAID’S TOMB A ’SYMBOL OF STRONG SINO-PAK FRIENDSHIP’ -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have termed the installation of new chandelier gifted by the latter for the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam as a "symbol of strong bond between the two countries".

President Mamnoon Hussain in his message on the installation of the new chandelier, which he is going to inaugurate on Saturday, has expressed confidence that the symbolic significance of the chandelier would always remind the importance of Sino-Pak relationship.

"The installation of new chandelier, a masterpiece of its own kind, at the last abode of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is a great occasion for the nation," he said.

President Mamnoon said during the construction of Quaid's mausoleum some 45 years ago, China had gifted a beautiful chandelier.

"During the whole four-and-half-decades, the chandelier had been illuminating the mausoleum as a symbol of Pak-China friendship," he said.

He said due to environmental pollution and corrosive atmosphere of Karachi, the chandelier had lost its shine with the passage of time and the government of Pakistan decided to change it.

For this purpose, he said, a request was made to the Chinese government to assign some experts for this job, but the Chinese government decided to do it on its own as a goodwill gesture.

The President thanked the Chinese leadership and especially Ambassador Sun Weidong for the chandelier.

Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui in his message said the bond between Pakistan and China is unbreakable.

He said the friendship that the two countries have forged is beyond the spheres of defence, security, economy, trade, communication and nuclear power.

"Pakistan and China turned a new leaf when their friendship became more about cultural traditions," he said.

He mentioned that when the time came to replace the existing chandelier, China, a true friend proposed to replace it and bear all costs from production to installation.

"The offer is a reflection of the indestructible bond between the two countries," he said.

Irfan Siddiqi said he believed that the chandelier at the tomb would continue shedding light on the great bond between the two countries for generations to come.

Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said the chandelier shows the utmost respect for Quaid-e-Azam by the Chinese people and the deep-rooted affection between two countries spanning more than half a century.

He said the year 2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the birth of Quaid-e-Azam and 65th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations.

"In this regard, the government of China has decided to provide a new chandelier to Mazar-e-Quaid with assistance gratis," he said.

He said with the help of best designer and producer in China, this chandelier is now refurnished with brighter lightening and energy-saving technology, while retaining its original shape.

1925

December 16, 2016 Continued Fri "The new chandelier represents the light of friendship, mutual-trust and cooperation shinning in our peoples' hearts," he said.

The Ambassador said the chandelier would serve as the inexhaustible sources of momentum for our future relations and would continue to be a beacon shedding light for a path towards a community of shared destiny.

All Day

Submarine cable landing station to be set up in Gwadar -- The Nations

ISLAMABAD - The National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) has planned to establish submarine cable landing station at Gwadar to provide alternate route to the existing network.

This was revealed on Thursday during a signing ceremony between the NTC and the Telecard Limited. Both the companies will cooperate on developing business and providing support solutions in the ICT for Government Sector under the Telecom Policy 2015. Supernet Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telecard Limited providing services to customers, which include satellite, radio and fiber optic base managed WAN services. Shamsul Arfeen, CEO Telecard Ltd endorsed that the partnership would add value to the NTC portfolio as their business partner to provide latest satellite technologies such as the O3B services, i-direct service and low-cost satellite-based broadband services for the NTC customers. NTC Managing Director Brig (retired) Viqar Rashid Khan, while speaking on the occasion, briefed the audience that the NTC was the first operator to establish the Cloud-Based National Data Centre in the public sector.

He said that the corporation NTC had completed over 85 per cent of its ADP projects in a record one year.

It also extended its services from 54 districts/cities to 87 districts/ cities including 13 districts in Sindh and six districts in Balochistan.

Overall Fixed Lines telephone growth observed was six per cent despite the decline in its general use, which then saw growth of over 36 per cent in broadband.

Over 45 per cent networks have been shifted from the TDM to IP-based Next Generation Network, the managing director said.

1926

December 17, 2016 Sat All Day

Bankers for issuance of multi-currency CPEC sukuk -- BR

Bankers have proposed issuance of multicurrency Sukuk for financing of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects. Addressing a roundtable session on "Islamic Finance Opportunities in CPEC and Beyond" conducted by IBA Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance on Friday at IBA City campus, Ghulam Abbasi, Director of Islamic Banking Department, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said that Islamic finance in Pakistan faces a major issue of liquidity development, for which CPEC is a golden opportunity especially for Sukuk.

He emphasised on building a platform where specific action points can be discussed and accordingly implemented. On behalf of SBP, he assured full support saying that the regulators will always support the new products, however it should be maximised as per the potential and an action plan needs to be properly developed. Dr Sulaiman Liu, Senior Partner from Al-Sadiq Consulting Limited spoke about Islamic financing options and opportunities that are necessary in order to give the Corridor the necessary push. Showing the overall geographical terrain, Dr Liu explained how this was an opportunity for Pakistan to increase international and local opportunities from other parts of the world, especially Honk Kong and Dubai.

He also mentioned a summit which will be held in China next year and would be an opportunity to develop ideas for Pak-China Islamic Banks, Takaful Companies and so on. He also mentioned how Hong Kong, even though not a Muslim country has been issuing Sukuk since 2014, and another in 2015, both of which are oversubscribed. They have been offering Islamic Financing since 2007.

Abdullah Han Senior Partner from Al-Sadiq, spoke about how the 30 million Muslim population of China was devoid of any Shariah-compliant alternative to banking in China due to regulatory challenges. He also pitched the idea of gaining a liquidity pool for Sukuk from Islamic capital markets like Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance talked on the CPEC and the role of Islamic Financial Institutions. He also appreciated the work being done for the economic development in the region.

He remarked that sessions like these between Pakistan and Chinese industry partners should continue in future, so that we can have a practical action plan for gaining maximum benefit. He invited the Chinese guests to a further event to be hosted in January to discuss the Islamic Finance opportunities in CPEC. He said the idea of issuing multicurrency Sukuk to finance CPEC infrastructure projects was very attractive, with the added advantage of avoiding foreign currency risk for both Pakistani and Chinese investors.

Irfan Siddiqui, CEO of Meezan Bank, spoke about the corridor and how China has allocated $46 billion and asked for a further $6 billion to be invested. He also spoke about Gwadar and how it became extremely necessary to develop cohesion between the two nations.

Meanwhile, CEOs and heads of departments of a number of Financial Institutions, regulator and academic institutions including Nasir Ali Syed, CEO Pak Qatar Takaful Limited, Muhammad Shoaib Ibrahim CEO First Habib Modaraba, Ashraf Bava CEO Nael Capital, Adnan Fasih Group Head IBD of Habib Metropolitan Bank and others also attend the round table session.

All Day

Pakistan-China to revolutionize IT sector -- Tech Juice

Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) is planning on revolutionizing the information technology in collaboration with China under ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A three-member Chinese delegation from BODA software solutions, Sichuan, China, led by Qiu Ziynn met with PCJCCI President Wang Zihai, in order to strengthen the bilateral ties between two countries in IT sector. The delegation was sent by Chinese Government in order to inform the Chinese stakeholders investing in CPEC about the IT opportunities present in Pakistan. Also, China is interested in outsourcing IT work to Pakistan companies.

1927

December 17, 2016 Continued Sat Information Technology is the need of the hour. PCJCCI Secretary General M Salahuddin Hanif mentioned Pakistan Government’s efforts in this regard. He informed that the IT and Telecom ministries are collaborating to form ‘e-commerce gateway framework’ to open more opportunities in online commercial ventures. He also said that Pakistan’s mobile gaming and animation industry earns millions per month by developing and exporting mobile applications.

Wang Zihai briefed the delegation about thousands of IT companies working in Pakistan which develop high-end software solutions for some of the largest companies in the world. Also, Pakistan has won many international IT awards.

They discussed that currently, CPEC is focusing on energy and infrastructure development. Now, the both governments will step forward to jointly revolutionize the IT sector by developing an e-corridor for greater connectivity and development.

Established in 2012 under Trade Organization Ordinance 2009, PCJCCI works on the economic integration and mutual benefits by enhancing the bilateral trade between Pakistan and China.

1928

December 18, 2016 Sun All Day

Pakistan Turns to China in Energy Binge -- Wall Street Journal, 1025 Connecticut Ave NW # 800, Washington, DC 20036, USA

KARACHI, Pakistan—When Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came to office in 2013, rolling power outages across the country were plunging homes and businesses into darkness for up to 12 hours a day.

Now the Pakistani leader is betting on a $21 billion Chinese-backed splurge on energy projects to boost the economy—and his re-election bid.

More than 10,000 Chinese workers are now building at least 10 partly Beijingfinanced energy projects across Pakistan that are set to grow the country’s energy output by 60% within two years in the first major boost to supply in two decades.Mr. Sharif’s government plans to inaugurate a nuclear plant this month and a pipeline network in January that will carry large-scale gas imports upcountry.

“Never in the history of Pakistan has there been such a big package of electricity plants in the pipeline,” said Syed Akhtar Ali, in charge of energy at the Planning Commission, the ministry tasked with long-term development.

RELATED China’s Growing Role in Pakistan’s Power Struggle -- The Numbers Mr. Sharif’s promise to solve the electricity crisis propelled him to office at a time when the energy deficit was knocking some 2 percentage points off growth, economists say, stifling industry and leaving school children to study by candlelight.

Pakistan’s economic growth has risen to almost 5% annually under Mr. Sharif and his government set a 7% target for the years ahead. That, his government hopes, will boost the moribund private sector, reduce unemployment and provide youth with more alternatives to extremism.

The energy plan is a centerpiece of that economic aspiration. Mr. Sharif is racing to fulfill his pledge and become the first incumbent to be re-elected in a country whose voters—or the interventionist military—have long ousted its leaders for their poor performance. Mr. Sharif, who led Pakistan twice before in the 1990s, hasn’t previously even completed a term in office.

“Electric power is going to be the swing factor in the election,” said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the minister for petroleum. “If we don’t deliver on power, we won’t be seen as having delivered.”

ENLARGE Mr. Sharif’s plan depends heavily on China, which is translating its long-term strategic ties with Pakistan into an economic partnership, part of a broader infrastructure push across Eurasia. China is financing many plants as commercial investments. But to expedite projects, the Pakistani government is funding some power stations in the run up to the election, including three gas-fired plants in Mr. Sharif’s home province of Punjab. The eventual aim is to more than double Pakistan’s current output of around 16,000 megawatts.

By comparison, Washington’s multibillion-dollar civilian aid program for Pakistan has been far less ambitious, adding 1,000 megawatts to the country’s power generation in recent years by enhancing existing power stations.

The plan is to add 10,000 megawatts of the new China-backed infrastructure, a mixture of coal, gas and hydro electricity, by early 2018, months before elections, at a cost of $21 billion. The schedule is tight. The massive amounts of natural gas and coal needed for the plants require an extensive delivery system of ports, pipelines and railways. The country also needs to upgrade its power distribution network to be able to carry the extra electricity.

“My concern is that gaps in longer term planning, including much needed structural, regulatory and market reforms, will once again fall by the wayside in the euphoria of 1929

December 18, 2016 Continued Sun having achieved a temporary electricity supply surplus,” said Jamil Masud, a partner at Hagler Bailly Pakistan, an energy consultancy, The projects could become a political issue. The Chinese-financed plants enjoy a generous return guaranteed by Islamabad. Less highly populated provinces complain that Mr. Sharif’s Punjab has scooped an unfair share of the projects.

Beyond the election, billions of dollars of more Chinese power projects are also planned.

At Karachi’s Port Qasim, a $2 billion coal-fired plant is taking shape. After only 1.5 years under construction, one 400-foot high cooling tower is up and the second is almost complete. The hulking metal frames for the boilers are in place and a jetty for imported coal is taking shape. Around 4,000 people work on the site, 24 hours a day—half of them Chinese workers who aren’t allowed to step outside its boundary.

On the other side of the port, a massive tanker ship serves as a terminal for liquefied natural gas imports, which are piped across Pakistan. Three more terminals are planned by the government.

The Chinese hope that, over time, greater economic success for its Pakistani ally will act as a source of stability and help to de-radicalize society, said Andrew Small, author of The China-Pakistan Axis.

“If you have a more normalized Pakistani economy and closer economic linkages within the region, this will at least mitigate some of the long standing conflictual tendencies that exist there,” he said.

1930

December 19, 2016 Mon All Day

CHINA TO SET UP LARGE STEEL FACTORY AT GWADAR -- APP

ISLAMABAD: Acting Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Zhao Lijian Monday said that his country would set up a large steel factory at Gwadar to further expedite economic developments being carried out under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

"Both China and Pakistan would very soon sign an agreement to establish the steel factory, three times bigger than the free economic zone being set up in Gwadar city," he made this announcement while addressing participants of a day-long conference on CPEC: Potential and Prospects organized by Strategic Vision Institute (SVI) here.

He said, industrial cooperation was the fourth pillar of CPEC initiative and both the country would discuss it in the next meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC to be held in Beijing this month.

"After completion of energy projects, transport infrastructure and development of Gwadar Port, industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan will be the main topic at the next JCC," he added.

Zhao Lijian informed that China was working a lot for the development of Gwadar Port which was built with the Chinese government's assistance.

He said, after completion, the port was handed over to Singapore but there was no improvement even after passage of five years.

Finally, it was given to the Chinese government by Pakistan government and the port was made functional and a ship carrying Chinese goods left for Africa.

He said, a business centre, hostel for different companies, fisheries processing plant with cold storage facility had been established in the free economic zone spread over around nine kilometers.

About Gwadar airport up-gradation, he said, the new international airport would have landing facility for all the modern aircraft including A-380 Airbus after completion, adding, prior to the up-gradation only C-130 or propeller-planes could land at the old airport.

The Acting Chinese Ambassador said, a 150-bed hospital was being built for the treatment of local people while a vocational institute had been set up for imparting training of different skills especially for the fishermen.

Talking about different energy project being completed under CPEC initiative in different parts of Pakistan, he particularly mentioned about the coal-based power plants which were being built in accordance with environmental standard set by the World Bank (WB) and other concerned international organizations.

He said, China produces around 60 percent of its total power generation through coal based power stations using modern and state-of-the-art technology.

"The environmental concerns will be taken into consideration during the completion of these power stations," he added.

Zhao Lijian pointed out hydro power plant, coal based power plants, wind power plants and solar based power plants were being set up to meet the electricity shortage in Pakistan.

He informed that the Karot Power Plant was being financed by the Silk Bank established by the Chinese government.

The groundbreaking of Suki Kinari, Kohala Hydro Power Project would be held early next year, he said and added, Sahiwal Power Plant and Port Qasim Power Plant would be completed by next June and December respectively.

1931

December 19, 2016 Continued Mon He said, a power plant set up at Thar coal site would also be inaugurated in next June.

He said, HUBCO power plant, one of the biggest coal-based power plant, would provide constant and stable power supply throughout the year.

All Day

PAK-CHINA FM98 DOSTI CHANNEL LAUNCHED -- BR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) and China Radio International (CRI) on Monday launched local transmission of FM98 Dosti Channel in a colourful ceremony here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

PBC Director General Khursheed Ahmed Malik and CRI Vice President Hu Bangsheng signed a mutual agreement on the occasion. Senior officials of China Embassy were also present.

Addressing the ceremony, the PBC Director General said Pakistan and China enjoyed cordial bilateral relations. Their friendship was now touching the peak as work on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was in full swing, he added.

He said PBC was proud to be a close partner of CRI. Khursheed Ahmed Malik said PBC's external service was presenting a one hour programme on Chinese language.

He expressed the hope that cooperation between the two organizations would further strengthen their cordial relations in future.

CRI Vice President Hu Bangsheng said Pakistan and China had been connected with each other through the Silk Route for last 2,000 years.

He appreciated the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage for extending its cooperation in initiating various cultural programmes and establishing the FM channel.

Earlier, the function was started with national anthems of Pakistan and China.

Students of various schools presented the the anthems.

Later, the artists of PNCA performed the traditional dances of all the provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A cake was also cut to mark the occasion.

All Day

Radio Pakistan proposes launching of CPEC Radio Channel -- Daily Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Director General Radio Pakistan Khurshid Ahmed Malik has announced that Pakistan would extend every possible cooperation to China Radio International (CRI) for transmission of Dousti Channel.

Talking to visiting Vice President CRI, Hu Bengsheng here on Monday, he said CRI content is very popular in Pakistan, and launching of Dousti Channel would add a local flavour to this broadcast. He said cooperation between CRI and Radio Pakistan has been a positive experience.

According to Mr. Malik, Radio Pakistan is already broadcasting programmes in eleven foreign languages, including Chinese. He suggested that the service could further by improved by CRI training the Chinese Service staff.

CRI vice president said his organisation will provide three staff members to Chinese Service of Radio Pakistan at its own expense. The two sides have agreed on mutual training of staff members of both organisations to enhance cooperation and 1932

December 19, 2016 Continued Mon understanding, and strengthen ties in the field of broadcasting.

Director General Khurshid Malik proposed setting up of a dedicated CPEC radio channel as a joint collaboration between Radio Pakistan and CRI, with its transmitters from Kashgar to Gwadar, in order to highlight activities related to this multi-billion dollar project and to promote the culture of areas through which it passes.

He informed CRI delegation that Radio Pakistan has already upgraded its stations in Gilgit and Gwadar for this purpose.

Hu Bengsheng said that such a channel could be set up in two phases. The first would be to strengthen Dousti Channel and second would be to work on the feasibility of CPEC channel. He said cooperation between two media organisations will further strengthen people-to-people contact between Pakistan and China.

Vice President CRI also invited Director General Radio Pakistan to visit CRI.Online

1933

December 20, 2016 Tue All Day

China To Set Up Large Steel Factory At Gwadar -- HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS WORLDWIDE - Online Daily Newspaper, Grigoriou Lampraki 120, Pireas 185 32, Greece Acting Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Zhao Lijian Monday said that his country would set up a large steel factory at Gwadar to further expedite economic developments being carried out under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

“Both China and Pakistan would very soon sign an agreement to establish the steel factory, three times bigger than the free economic zone being set up in Gwadar city,” he made this announcement while addressing participants of a day-long conference on CPEC: Potential and Prospects organized by Strategic Vision Institute (SVI) here.

He said, industrial cooperation was the forth pillar of CPEC initiative and both the country would discuss it in the next meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC to be held in Beijing this month.

“After completion of energy projects, transport infrastructure and development of Gwadar Port, industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan will be the main topic at the next JCC,” he added.

Zhao Lijian informed that China was working a lot for the development of Gwadar Port which was built with the Chinese government’s assistance.

He said, after completion, the port was handed over to Singapore but there was no improvement even after passage of five years.

Finally, it was given to the Chinese government by Pakistan government and the port was made functional and a ship carrying Chinese goods left for Africa.

He said, a business centre, hostel for different companies, fisheries processing plant with cold storage facility had been established in the free economic zone spread over around nine kilometers.

About Gwadar airport up-gradation, he said, the new international airport would have landing facility for all the modern aircraft including A-380 Airbus after completion, adding, prior to the up-gradation only C-130 or propeller-planes could land at the old airport.

The Acting Chinese Ambassador said, a 150-bed hospital was being built for the treatment of local people while a vocational institute had been set up for imparting training of different skills especially for the fishermen.

Talking about different energy project being completed under CPEC initiative in different parts of Pakistan, he particularly mentioned about the coal-based power plants which were being built in accordance with environmental standard set by the World Bank (WB) and other concerned international organizations.

He said, China produces around 60 percent of its total power generation through coal based power stations using modern and state of the art technology.

“The environmental concerns will be taken into consideration during the completion of these power stations,” he added.

Zhao Lijian pointed out hydro power plant, coal based power plants, wind power plants and solar based power plants were being set up to meet the electricity shortage in Pakistan.

He informed that the Karot Power Plant was being financed by the Silk Bank established by the Chinese government.

The groundbraking of Suki Kinari, Kohala Hydro Power Project would be held early next year, he said and added, Sahiwal Power Plant and Port Qasim Power Plant would be completed by next June and December respectively.

He said, a power plant set up at Thar coal site would also be inaugurated in next June.

He said, HUBCO power plant, one of the biggest coal-based power plant, would provide constant and stable power supply throughout the year.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

All Day

Gwadar students visit PU -- APP

On the invitation of the Punjab government, a delegation of students and teachers of different academic institutions of Gwadar reached the provincial metropolis on Monday.

The delegation reached through Pakistan Air Force’s C-130 aircraft at Lahore 1934

December 20, 2016 Continued Tue Airport from where they reached Punjab University through special buses.

A lunch was hosted by Punjab University in the honour of delegation in which PU Registrar Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Director Students Affairs Shahid Gul, Higher Education Department Deputy Secretary Nauman Jamil, Director Colleges Muhammad Zahid, Deputy Adviser Students Affairs Zubair Ahmed and others were present. The delegation will visit various departments of Punjab University on Tuesday (today).

1935

December 21, 2016 Wed All Day

GWADAR HAS MAJOR SHARE IN NATIONAL FINANCE COMMISSION: SHAHBAZ -- Radio Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Gwadar has major share in National Finance Commission.

Talking to a student’s delegation hailing from Gwadar in Lahore on Wednesday, he said Balochistan has been granted major share in National Finance Commission while attention is being given to address reservations of people in the province.

The Chief Minister said Balochistan will be top most beneficiary of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He said 42 kilometers long Quetta Metro Bus project has been included in the CPEC.

1936

December 23, 2016 Fri All Day

Moscow to host Pak, China for talks on Afghanistan -- Observer

Russia is hosting an important trilateral meeting involving Pakistan and China on 27th December to discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan, reflecting the importance that the three countries attach to the peace and stability of the conflictravaged Afghanistan.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary will lead the Pakistan delegation to the trilateral talks.

The proposed talks have assumed importance at a time when there is no let-up in violence in Afghanistan in spite of the advent of winter.

As a prelude to the trilateral meeting, a working level meeting has already taken place. The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan has raised concerns about the spillover effect due to the presence of non-state actors and other elements there.

According to a recent statement of Russian foreign ministry, the consultations are aimed at establishing a wider regional partnership on the issue.

The official had stated that it was in the interest of regional stakeholders to protect themselves from the terrorist spillover, noting that containment efforts should take the form of an ‘Afghan regional’ project.

1937

December 25, 2016 Sun All Day

UZBEKISTAN CONSIDERING BECOMING PART OF CPEC -Nation

Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ulugbek Rozukulov has said that Pakistan is a very important country, and his country wanted to enhance bilateral ties in various fields including trade.

“The government, masses and business community of Uzbekistan and Pakistan must strive to boost bilateral trade, which is well below the actual potential,” he said.

While speaking to the businessmen at FPCCI’s Capital House here on Saturday, the visiting dignitary said that Pakistan could resolve its energy problem with the help of natural resources of Uzbekistan and that his country was considering to become part of CPEC, which, he said, was a fate changing project.

Uzbek ambassador to Pakistan, Apex Chamber President Abdur Rauf Alam and others were also present on the occasion.

“CPEC will not only benefit the whole region, but will also positively affect the people living in other parts of the field besides promoting Pakistan’s economy,” he said, and added, “We should push cooperation to the new heights.”

Speaking on the occasion, FPCCI President Abdur Rauf Alam said that Pakistan was exporting pharmaceuticals, leather goods, agricultural products, milk and sports goods to the brotherly country of Uzbekistan.

“Pakistan is importing cotton, yarn, clothes, iron, steel plastic, telecommunications equipment and electric items from Uzbekistan,” he added.

Alam said that Uzbekistan was producing quality aircraft, cars and machinery, which were not being imported.

He demanded immediate establishment of a Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Business Council to promote trade and investment. An MOU for cooperation was signed between the apex chambers of both the countries and a meeting of PakistanUzbekistan Business Forum was also held.

1938

December 26, 2016 Mon All Day

'Pakistan's aviation needs boost to capitalise on CPEC,' says Mark Goh, National University Singapore -- BR December 26, 2016 RECORDER REPORT 0 Comments E-mail Print PDF Mark Goh is currently a Professor at the Department of Decision Sciences and Director (industry Research) with the Logistics Institute-Asia Pacific at the National University of Singapore, where his areas of interest include supply chain management and physical distribution management. His first book was called 'Growth triangle: problems and prospects in international business,' which studied international business from the lens of economic development in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

BR Research recently caught up with Mark at the 32nd AGM of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), where he gave the Allama Iqbal Lecture on the 'role of productivity, quality and innovation in making CPEC work for Pakistan.' The following interview is the edited draft of his post-lecture discussion with BR Research. The topic, of course, is CPEC seen from the lens of Mark's area of expertise.

BR Research: Let's start off from your understanding of Gwadar; its current state and potential. Compared to other large container ports in the region such as Shanghai, Singapore, Shenzhen and Dubai, how does Gwadar fare on the different metrics such as cargo handling capacity, container yard space, cargo storage capacity, and other transportation infrastructure such as air, rail, and road links?

Mark Goh: These are very specific capital investment questions; it is difficult to compare cargo handling capacity, terminals, berths and so forth at the moment, since Gwadar is still a work in progress. For instance, if I remember correctly, the number of berths in Gwadar is in a very different order than those in Shanghai, Singapore, or Dubai, since these older ports are much bigger.

But I think Gwadar's role and potential does not lie as much as in the number of berths but in its strategic location, since it gives potential access to Central Asian states and serves as a backdoor entry to the western provinces of China. And in the case of the latter, it fits very well into China's western region development plan.

The Chinese would want to raise the overall profile and quality of life of their population, and Gwadar is an important part of their game plan. The good news for Gwadar is that it is literally starting from scratch; it therefore has the opportunity to become a state-of-the-art port.

There are four possible basic means of connectivity - the air, the port, the road, and the railways. In addition, there is the pipeline. Together, these can make Gwadar a great inter-modal transportation hub.

BRR: What are the roots of this potential?

MG: The potential is there because Gwadar is a naturally deepwater port, which means there is little need for dredging. All you have to do is to develop the hinterland, build the roads, set up the infrastructure and you are good to go. It is also important to note that Gwadar is protected from the open ocean because it is on the right side of the bay; rather than the left side of the bay, which means it is protected from strong currents while being a deepwater port at the same time.

BRR: Certain quarters theorise that Chabahar is going to give competition to Gwadar. Where do you stand on that?

MG: It depends which horse you want to favour; if you favour one horse over another, you will put your money there. As of now, it seems it is Gwadar, since it offers the shortest route, and recent developments point to the same.

There are three main considerations here: political, safety, and security. I believe Pakistan was chosen because of its unique reason and good relationship with China. And the reason why China chose Gwadar rather than the ports in Karachi is 1939

December 26, 2016 Continued Mon because it is easier to develop a brand new port than improve an existing port, which may already be choked.

BRR: If that is indeed the case then why do you think that China did a cargo train test from east of China, via Central Asia into Tehran?

MG: It was to make a point to the world that after so many years of talking and negotiating across several countries, China is really following through with the plan.

It was also to prove that the Chinese will put their money where their mouth is.

Second, as I understand, the Chinese always look out for options. Let me give you an example of how China looks at options, and that is good for modality choices.

Most of China's oil supply goes through the Straits of Malacca, which is a very busy channel. So, they have been working on three possible options for the same oil.

Through the east, they have the traditional Straits of Malacca. There they have built a by-pass as well from one side of Malaysia to another, which means oil doesn't have to go through the entire Straits; it can stop half way and the rest can be transported via another transportation means across Malaysia to its eastern side where there is also a port and terminal facilities. From there, the oil is shipped off to coastal China. This helps to cut the delivery time. They have also invested in the southern part of Myanmar, from where oil will be shipped all the way to southern part of China. And then there is Gwadar to help connect with western China. In this way, China will not be dependent on oil coming from one transport route only. mark-goh BRR: Do you have estimates of Gwadar's benefits to China in terms of cost and time?

MG: As I mentioned in my presentation at PIDE, it would take about four-five days to cargo goods from Kashgar to Gwadar, which will help China reduce the time compared to transporting goods through the Straits of Malacca. Moreover, in dollar terms, every one day lost in transport can probably result in a loss of one percent of trade value.

BRR: What is your assessment on Pakistan's potential to emerge as a supply chain hub, both in the context of service logistics such as warehousing, trucking, and documentation services, as well as production logistics such as contract manufacturing and assembly?

MG: It is very hard to say at the moment considering that I don't know enough about the state of these industries in your country. But suffice to say, Pakistan needs to improve its infrastructure, ensure fixed schedule of rail, road, port, and airport services, given that businesses cannot afford to lose even a day. Pakistan also needs to improve its passenger airlines sector to maximise the opportunity for better transport connectivity; and both service and production logistics need safety and security too.

BRR: Let us flip the question around. Would China be looking for service logistics in Pakistan or production logistics?

MG: Its biggest interest is in service logistics. But production logistics may also follow suit.

BRR: Given the high labour cost differential between China and Pakistan, why wouldn't China want to set up production logistics in Pakistan?

MG: Let's look at the FTC industry - which is footwear, textile, and clothing. The FTC industry is facing high labour costs in China because a lot of workers tend to go to electronics industry because they pay better compared to FTC. But why is China relocating this industry to Vietnam rather than Pakistan, when in fact Vietnam is not cheaper than Pakistan based on the data presented in the conference earlier, and that the FTC industry is very sensitive to labour costs? One 1940

December 26, 2016 Continued Mon reason is the proximity to southern China, where most of China's FTC industry is located, and the other is that the stitching skills of the Vietnamese workers are better.

The only way Pakistan can fit into the equation is when you can say, 'we not only have cheap labour but also our quality is as good as rest of the world.' This of course will have to be in addition to ensuring that infrastructure issues and power and gas shortages are resolved, which is why China is investing heavily in Pakistan's power sector. The proximity to power stations will determine the success of the special economic zones or export processing zones.

BRR: How badly do you think China needs Pakistan? Should Pakistan negotiate tightly or should it let China enter first and then negotiate strongly later?

MG: We have to look at this way - is there a downside to

1941

December 27, 2016 Tue All Day

CPEC to usher in 'new era of development': COAS Bajwa -- DAWN Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday expressed the hope that timely completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would usher in a new era of development in the region.

He was addressing the passing out parade of newly recruited Baloch personnel of the Pakistan Army in Quetta.

He said Balochistan is an integral part of Pakistan and its resources would in future open new paths of progress for the people of Balochistan.

Development in Balochistan would ensure peace and stability in the country, the army chief added.

"That is why our enemies want to hinder Balochistan's bright future.

"I am extremely pleased that the people of Balochistan... have rejected all antiPakistan elements."

Gen Bajwa said Pakistan's "doors are open for those brothers who have been misguided by the enemy".

He said the betterment of law and order in Balochistan is the "foremost priority of the government" and in this respect, the Pakistan Army is assisting with the training and capacity building of police and other law enforcement agencies.

"Pakistan Army, despite limited resources, has always tried to play its positive role in the educational, societal and economic progress of the province alongside other institutions," he said.

"Pakistan Army is the manifestation of national unity in which all provinces are represented approximately according to their populations."

In today's ceremony, 577 recruits successfully completed their training and were awarded certificates by the army chief.

So far, over 13,000 Baloch youths have been trained and recruited by the Pakistan Army.

About CPEC Balochistan is a key region for China's ambitious $46 billion CPEC infrastructure project linking its western province of Xinjiang to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan.

Security problems have mired CPEC in the past with numerous attacks, but China has said it is confident the Pakistani military is in control.

The CPEC is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways and pipelines to transport oil and gas from Gwadar Port to Kashgar city, northwestern China's Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region.

Proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan in May 2013, the CPEC will act as a bridge for the new Maritime Silk Route that envisages linking three billion people in Asia, Africa and Europe.

An official agreement on the corridor was signed between the two countries in May last year during President Xi Jinping's historic visit to Pakistan.

A flagship project of the Belt and Road initiative as well, the CPEC intends to revive the ancient Silk Road with a focus on infrastructure, and constitutes the strategic framework of bilateral cooperation.

1942

December 27, 2016 Continued Tue The project links China's strategy to develop its western region with Pakistan's focus on boosting its economy, including the infrastructure construction of Gwadar Port, together with some energy cooperation and investment programs.

All Day

Pak-Russia-China talks to focus on Afghanistan, CPEC -- The News ISLAMABAD: A meeting between Pakistan, Russia and China will be held in Moscow today to discuss regional peace and stability, including situation in Afghanistan.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary will lead the Pakistan delegation at the talks. FO spokesman Nafees Zakria told a media briefing that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the entire region.

Chinese, Pakistani and Russian officials say they were driven to joint action by the efforts of Daesh affiliates to establish a foothold in Afghanistan.

The Russian inclusion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is another important agenda of the meeting. There has been no formal discussion on the subject yet, however Russia has shown intention to be included in the project and China has welcomed the request.

On the other hand, Afghanistan is unhappy over being ignored for the trilateral meeting. “Talking on Afghanistan without consulting the country raises serious questions for the Afghan people. We are worried about what the reasons behind the meeting are and want the relevant parties to explain,� said Ahmad Shekib Mustaghni, spokesman for the Afghanistan foreign ministry.

1943

December 30, 2016 Fri All Day

Eight industrial zones to be set up under CPEC project: Ahsan Iqbal -SAMAA

BEIJING: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal says CPEC will not be limited to development projects but also help to boost people-topeople contacts between the two countries.

He said this while talking to media, after the concluded meeting of two-day PakChina Joint Cooperation Committee of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Beijing.

Ahsan Iqbal said the meeting expressed satisfaction that by the cooperation of the leadership of both the countries CPEC is moving ahead successfully.

He said the meeting expressed satisfaction over the ongoing work on the 8000MW power projects under CPEC. The Planning Minister said a working group has been constituted to carry forward the work on Bhasha Dam to be built on Indus River.

He said the transport infrastructure group expressed satisfaction on two big projects including Multan-Sukkur project and Karakorum Project from Havelian to Thakot where work is underway.

Ahsan Iqbal said under the transport infrastructure, rail based mass transit projects were approved for all provincial capitals and included in the CPEC framework.

He said under CPEC eight industrial zones will be set up with one zone in each province and special areas of Federally Administered Areas, Azad Kashmir, GilgitBaltistan and Gwadar.

1944

CROWN OF THE BEST COMMERCIAL SCHEMES

The title “Gwadar's largest commercial scheme� Al-Noor cargo city holds this distinct.

Al-Noor cargo city is also known as Gwadar's first strategic commercial scheme.

Al-Noor cargo city is situated in the mid of Gwadar airport and Gwadar sea port. It has one-kilometer wide front on the 205ft wide main Baluchistan Broadway and 150ft wide Existing coastal highway.

Al-Noor Cargo City gives an eye-catching stance to both local and international investors due to its strategic location. In addition, just 1500 yards distance to Deep Sea East Bay gives another edge to Al-Noor Cargo City.