‘Inept’ person handed over country’s fate after Nawaz: Iqbal

Planning minister blames PTI for ‘halting’ CPEC

Islamabad: ‘Inept’ person handed over country’s fate after Nawaz: Iqbal. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday averred that the “inept” person was handed over the country’s reins after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Expressing his thoughts in Narowal, Iqbal lamented the economic woes: “Nawaz Sharif’s ouster resulted in the economy being pushed into a quagmire of debt. A few judges illegally disqualified Nawaz Sharif.”

“An incompetent person was given control of the country, causing the economy to sink in just four years,” he said.

Iqbal also accused the PTI government of “halting” projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which were initiated during the PML-N tenure.

– Ahsan Iqbal lays emphasis on bidding process for ML-1 project –

Separately, few days back, Iqbal laid emphasis on the bidding process for the ML-1 project on Tuesday.

According to details, Iqbal chaired a meeting. On this occasion, Iqbal said: “The proper timeline will be fixed for the timely start of ML-1 project.”

Iqbal vowed to ensure the protection of Chinese citizens. “Providing security to Chinese citizens is our topmost priority.”

Read More: Delay in power supply to Gwadar not acceptable: Ahsan Iqbal

He urged the need to hold a meeting of the sub-working groups of minerals with the Chinese authorities.

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Ahsan Iqbal Expressed Satisfaction On CPEC Progresses, Directs To Complete LTP At Earliest.

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC is a national agenda and has been put into implementation in record time due to total commitment of both Pakistani and Chinese leadership. He expressed satisfaction over progress of CPEC projects and directed for finalization of Long Term Plan (LTP) of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at the earliest in consultation with the provinces. Federal ministries and provinces should come up with their next agenda of projects for the long term plan of CPEC in next fifteen days. Federal Minister Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal issued these directions while chairing high level fortnightly review meeting of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform. He also directed ministries to submit the anticipated future disbursement plan of CPEC projects included in PSDP of next financial year to ensure smooth releases for projects. While reviewing the energy project in CPEC, Ahsan Iqbal asked Ministry of Water & Power to present an integrated plan for generation, transmission and distribution for next three year within one week to ensure that new power will be distributed to consumers in a planned manner. 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. He said that with the completion of the energy projects in early harvest projects, 10,000 MGW would be added in national grid by 2018. Meeting was appraised that work on Bin Qasim Power Plant, Thar Power Plant and Sahiwal Power Plant is on track and these would be completed as per the schedule. While reviewing the Gwadar component of CPEC,  Ahsan Iqbal directed the concerned authorities to consider urban planning requirements while devising Master Plan for Gwadar and also called for enforcing the land zoning laws to check the mushroom growth of housing societies in the port city. He also directed to finalize the plan to switch Gwadar Power Plant from coal to LNG/oil on urgent basis to meet the urgent energy needs of the port city and directed to carry out the work on Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar Sea Port projects on fast track basis. Minister urged to develop Thar as Model City.  The economic activity in Thar should not be geared to earn the profits only but should also focus on economic and social uplift of the area. We should not repeat the mistake made in Sui.  Meeting reviewed the progress on projects in energy, road infrastructure, railway and Gwadar under CPEC framework. Minister Planning and Development directed to keep momentum in the construction work on CPEC projects to ensure their completion in stipulated time frame. Minister emphasized that smarter and scientific approach should be adopted while carrying out the work on CPEC projects and urged for mobilizing the required financial resources promptly for smooth execution of work on these projects. Meeting also reviewed KKH-II (Thakot-Havalaian section) and Multan-Sukhur Section of Karachi-Peshawar Motorway, Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line, ML-1 Railway Track, etc. and expressed satisfaction over progress on CPEC projects.

‘Inept’ person handed over country’s fate after Nawaz: Iqbal