PM Shehbaz urges speedy implementation of Chinese investment projects

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed authorities to expedite the implementation of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed with the Chinese government and companies, emphasising that delays would not be tolerated.

Chairing a review meeting on Pak-China cooperation at the PM House, the Prime Minister highlighted China’s role as a steadfast ally, always supporting Pakistan in times of need.

He noted the Chinese leadership’s commitment to increasing investment in Pakistan and stressed that the transfer of Chinese industry to Pakistan would bolster the economy, boost exports, and create new job opportunities.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the progress of various projects initiated with Chinese collaboration.

Key updates included the completion of the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway through a Public-Private Partnership and the initiation of a government-funded programme to send 1,000 students for modern agricultural vocational training in China.

The first batch of students will leave for China at the start of the academic year, with subsequent batches to follow after completing Chinese language training in Pakistan.

The meeting also discussed the final stages of a plan to switch power plants from imported coal to local coal. Additionally, a roadshow in Beijing, organised with Chinese cooperation, aims to highlight business and investment opportunities in Pakistan.

A detailed roadmap for the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan was presented. It was revealed that Chinese textile, medical and surgical equipment, plastic, and leather industries would partner with Pakistani companies to relocate to Pakistan. So far, 78 Pakistani companies have expressed strong interest in this collaboration.

The Board of Investment (BoI) presented a comprehensive report on progress and action plans, which the Prime Minister praised. He instructed relevant departments and officers to provide full support to Pakistani companies working with Chinese partners.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Abdul Aleem Khan, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Jehanzeb Khan, and other senior officials. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, and Rana Tanvir Hussain participated via video link.

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