Pakistan, China to speed up ML-1, SEZs implementation

Pakis­tan and China have agreed to fast-track work on the implementation of main line (ML-1) railway project and special economic zones (SEZs). An agreement in this regard was reached between Minister for Planning and Develo­pment Ahsan Iqbal and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Chairman Zheng Shanjie during a meeting held in Beijing on Tuesday, according to a press release. The planning minister is on a four-day official visit to China to commemorate 10 years of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). During his visit, the minister co-chaired a special Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting with the NDRC vice chairman, besides holding several meetings with key Chinese officials. During a one-on-one meeting with the NDRC chairman, the minister conveyed felicitations of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Mr Shanjie on assuming his new role and assured him of full support in smooth implementation of CPEC projects.