ISLAMABAD: The Nawaz Sharif government has proposed 29 industrial parks and 21 mineral economic processing zones in all four provinces under the much hyped $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), The News has learnt.

According to the official list with the identified sites for the proposed industrial zones under the CPEC which will be tabled before the representatives of the provinces by next month and exclusively available with The News, the federal government wants industrial parks in all four provinces. In Punjab, the federal government is proposing industrial estates in Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawat, Lahore, Sundar, Multan and Vehari.

For Minerals Economic Processing Zones in Punjab, the federal government is proposing sites in the Salt Range (antimony) and Chiniot for iron ore.

For industrial zones in Sindh, the federal government has proposed sites of Sukkur, Larkana, Karachi, Bin Qasim, Korangi Creek and Khairpur. For Minerals Economic Processing Zones in Sindh, the proposed sites are Thar (coal) and Lakra (coal).

The proposed sites for Industrial Economic Zones/Parks in KP include Hattar, Gadoon, Ghazi, D I Khan, Jalozai, Nowshera, Bannu, Chitral and Risalpur. The proposed Minerals Economic Processing Zones in KP included Dargai (chromite), North Waziristan (chromite), Kurram (antimony), Waziristan, (copper), Chitral (antimony), Besham (iron ore, lead), Nizampur (iron ore) and Mohmand (marble).

The proposed sites for industrial zones in Balochistan included Quetta, Dostan, Gwadar, Khuzdar, Uthal, Hub and Dera Murad Jamali. The proposed Minerals Economic Processing Zones in Balochistan include Khuzdar (chromite, antimony), Chaghi (chromite), Qila Saifullah(antimony, chromite) Saindak (gold, silver), Reko Diq (gold), Kalat (iron ore) Lasbela (manganese), Gwadar (oil refinery), Muslim Bagh (chromite)

According to announcement of the Planning Commission here on Saturday, the joint working groups on various components of

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are expected to hold their meetings next month. The joint working group on energy is scheduled to meet in the first week of August, groups on transport infrastructure & Gawadar in second week and group on planning in third week of August 2015.

This was stated by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms while chairing a high level meeting convened on Saturday to review the progress of the projects of CPEC. The meeting was attended by the top officials of various ministries and departments.

The meeting was briefed about the progress on CPEC projects by respective ministries. Ministry of Water & Power updated about the progress on various power projects started under CPEC. National Highway Authority briefed about the progress on infrastructure projects of CPEC including Karakoram Highway up-gradation, western route, and Multan-Sukkur motorway whereas Gwadar Port Authority briefed about 14 Kms long Gwadar East Bay Expressway. Aviation Division briefed the meeting about progress of work on New Gwadar International Airport, expected to be ready by 2018. Ministry of Railway gave the briefing on ML-1 up-gradation, which will upgrade and modernise Karachi-Peshawar rail track to increase speed of trains from 80 Kms/hr to 140 Kms/ hr. The meeting reviewed the progress on cooperation in industrial field under CPEC.

Minister Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal in his introductory remarks said that 46 billion dollar CPEC investment will prove to be a game-changer not just for Pakistan but for the entire region.

He said that government is committed to ensuring a united and a strong Pakistan through shared prosperity and inclusive development. He said that CPEC would bring dividends to all provinces and regions of Pakistan. All ministries must ensure speedy implementation of CPEC projects to seize the opportunities that are knocking at our door. Now we have political stability and peace conditions are improving which is helping in creating conducive investment climate in the country. We have to build on the momentum by working harder, better, and smarter.

The meeting reviewed the progress on Port Qasim Electric Company, coal fired 2Sahiwal 2x660MW coal-fired power plants, Punjab, EngroThar 2x330MW coal-fired, Thar, Sindh; surface mine in Block II of Thar coal field,3.8 mtpa, Thar Sindh, Gawadar Coal Power Project, Gwadar, SSRL Thar Coal Block 6.5mpta &CPIH Mine Mouth Power Plant, Thar, Sindh; Quaid-e-Azam 1000MW Solar Park, Bahawalpur, Punjab; Dawood 50MW wind Farm, Bhambore, Sindh; United Energy Pakistan (UEP) 100MW wind farm, Jhimpir, Sindh; Sachal 50MW wind farm, Jhimpir, Sindh, Sunnec 50MW wind farm, Jhimpir, Sind; Karot Hydropower Station, AJK & Punjab; HUBCO coal power plant, Hub Balochistan; Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project including mining, Punjab; Kohala Hydel Project, AJK; Pakistan wind farm II (Jhampir, Thatta, Sindh; and Thar mine mouth oracle, Thar Sindh in energy sector.

In transport infrastructure, meeting reviewed the progress on KKH Phase II (Raikot - Islamabad Section) and Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (Multan-Sukkur Section) and western route. Meeting also reviewed the progress of Havelian Dry port in rail sector projects.

