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Cross-Cultural Celebration: Chinese and Pakistani Staff Unite in Festivities of Eid at CPEC Projects

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not only about energy, transport, and industrial cooperation, but also cultural exchanges that strengthen the relationship between the Chinese and Pakistani people. Employees of the Matiari-Lahore transmission line and the Thar Coal Block-II Coal Electricity Integration project celebrated Eid as evidence of this.

Despite being thousands of miles from home, Junaid Ali and his Chinese coworkers celebrated Eid to the utmost. They danced to jubilant Pakistani music after feasting on a meal prepared by their Chinese coworkers, who went above and beyond to make Eid a memorable occasion for the locals. Ali stated that the finest part of the day was the pre-dinner speeches where both Chinese and Pakistanis spoke passionately about the friendship, brotherhood, and unity between the people of the two countries.

The CPEC has fostered strong cultural ties between Chinese and Pakistani employees, who not only service the people of Pakistan together but also share each other’s joys and sorrows. They celebrate Spring Festival with their Chinese coworkers and Eid with their Pakistani coworkers. They enjoy each other’s cuisine and attempt to study and participate in each other’s sports. The cultural exchange has nurtured a friendship between the two nations that will endure forever.

The Eid celebration is a concrete illustration of the positive results of this cultural exchange. The Pakistani experts who have observed the strengthening of people-to-people relations over the years believe that cultural festivals such as Eid strengthen the bond and provide an opportunity to gain a deeper comprehension of one another’s culture and traditions.

Raja Tahir Qayyum, who currently works in the operations department of the Karot Hydropower project for CPEC and has more than eleven years of experience working with various Chinese companies, stated that celebrating festivals together is similar to fortifying the alliance. The glory of CPEC, according to him, is not only that Pakistan’s roads and infrastructure have been improved, but also that cultural exchanges between the two countries have increased.

Gwadar Eastbay Expressway completion likely by October end

ISLAMABAD – Gwadar Eastbay Expressway the most important mega connectivity and road infrastructure project worth $168 million is likely to be completed this month.

The completion of the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway being constructed under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would trigger a major jump in the development of the Coastal City, a senior official of Gwadar Development Authority told media on the mega project status.

He said the project was envisaged under the Early Harvest Scheme during the first phase of CPEC. The project was part of a wider $1.1 billion development package for the city and Port of Gwadar.

While elaborating the project details, the official informed that Gwadar Eastbay Expressway was a six-lane urban motorway. “The road will connect Gwadar Port with Gwadar Free Trade Zone and Makran Coastal Highway. Currently, more than 92 percent of construction work has been completed,” he added. Expressway, he said, would improve the trading potential of Gwadar Port, whereas the Expressway aimed at meeting the transportation requirements of the Port.

Economic and commerce experts said that Gwadar Eastbay Expressway would prove to be a major step in utilising the full potential of Gwadar Port for trade, especially the way it would help connect Gwadar Port with Gwadar Free Trade Zone.

Senior Economist Dr Fazl Shah said this would increase the flow of business transactions across the Port. “Gwadar Free Trade Zone is currently in the attraction of investors across the globe. In this context, the completion of Gwadar Eastbay Expressway this year will certainly turn out to be a major development,” he added.

Moreover, the Expressway would connect Gwadar Port with other cities across the country, said Akram Sheikh, infrastructure expert at a leading real estate firm.

He said the significance of Gwadar Eastbay Expressway was further highlighted as it connected Gwadar Port with Makran Coastal Highway. The Makran Coastal Highway was a 653km national highway that extended from Karachi in Sindh to Gwadar in Balochistan. “This will certainly pave the way for businesses across Pakistan to capitalise on the rich business potential of Gwadar. The Expressway will create a business boom in Gwadar,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that the completion of Gwadar Eastbay Expressway carried a lot in its lap for the Coastal City. It would not only help Gwadar Port to fully capitalise on its trading potential but would also make Gwadar a hub of investment for businesses across Pakistan

The only pool in Gwadar

When we talk about visiting Gwadar , the core port city of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project , which is progressing over trade on daily bases and the world world eyes stick over its progress which is a game changer . Gwadar is also known for the beach city where tourists are taking interest and visiting .

Gwadar has planned for the future for lots of high rise buildings , hotels , resorts etc . CPECB Member Watson International has come in pioneer in building the first of its kind swimming pool in Pearl Continental hotel Gwadar , the only available 5 star hotel at this time , where view from the pool is eye catching and its only existing pool available for guest of PC to enjoy and feel the view.

Pakistani companies like Watson International took the first step in building a luxury pool for entertaining guests .

Pakistan, China working on transportation projects under CPEC: Haque

BEIJING: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Moin-ul-Haque has said that Pakistan and China are discussing and working on many other transportation projects under the framework of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in major cities.

In an interview with China’s Global Times on Sunday, Haque said that the CPEC, in its first phase, focuses on infrastructure and energy development, referencing Gwadar Port projects in Southwestern Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“The port will enhance connectivity between the two countries and the rest of the world,” he added.

He said the metro line is an extremely important project under the CPEC that will provide a modern, efficient, and affordable transport service to the people of Lahore, a metropolis of 12 million people with serious traffic congestion.

“The line will also help reduce carbon emissions and air pollution in the city as more people use it to commute,” he added.

Pakistan’s first metro line, built by Guangzhou Metro Company, opened on October 25 in Lahore. It will be jointly operated by Chinese and Pakistani companies. In the second phase, he said, the CPEC will mainly concentrate on the areas of agriculture, science and technology, and vocational training, which are very important for Pakistan’s poverty alleviation, and economic and social development.

“By learning China’s experience, we are building a number of special economic zones across the country, which will provide opportunities for investors from China and other countries,” he said.

Haque noted that Pakistan and China have a long history of interaction and people-to-people exchanges, helping foster their relationship and mutual understanding in a variety of cultural sectors. “The two neighbours are getting closer than ever, from arts and culture, infrastructure and poverty alleviation to cooperation in regional security.”

While commenting on the release of Parwaaz Hai Junoon, the first Pakistani film which hit Chinese mainland theatres in decades, he said that he expects the movie to be warmly welcomed by Chinese audiences.

“It is one of the most popular and highest-grossing movies to be made in Pakistan, which had done very well in the box office in Pakistan and across the world,” he said.

Three-Star General Asim Bajwa Chairman of the CPEC Authority

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday announced the appointment of retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa (Commander Southern Command ) as chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC) .

Its Time To Invest in Pakistan , Investors will proceed in investment in Pakistan as trust revive after Honorable Asim Saleem Bajwa appoint CPEC authority chairman specially in China Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC) projects and played very fruitful role in fast development .

Businessman who were concern over the development Internationally – Gwadar is shining and entire Pakistan business opportunities will come in action .

Bajwa has been decorated with the Tamgha-i-Basalat and Hilal-i-Imtiaz for his military services.

General Asim Saleem Bajwa is a retired Pakistani Three-star general who was Commander Southern Command prior to that he also served as Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) , he served as DG ISPR from 2012 to 2016 preceding Major Gen. Asif Ghafoor.

On 11 December 2016, Bajwa was appointed Inspector General Arms at GHQ, where he served until his appointment to the key position of Corp Commander Quetta in September 2017

Bajwa was commissioned in the 34th Punjab Regiment in 1984, at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul. He graduated from the Command and Staff College in Quetta, as well as the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad, followed by the Staff College, Camberley. He holds master’s degrees in war studies from NDU and defence studies from King’s College London.

His hobbies include reading and playing golf During his military career, Bajwa has served on multiple instructional and command-level posts, such as leading an anti-tank battalion, the 111th Infantry Brigade, and an infantry division. He was a brigade major at an infantry brigade and served as Chief of Staff at a strike Corps. He instructed courses at PMA Kakul and the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and was a deputy military secretary to the President of Pakistan. Bajwa assisted General Pervez Musharraf in compiling his book In the Line of Fire. In December 2010, he was promoted to the rank of a major-general. On 4 June 2012, Bajwa was appointed as the director-general of the ISPR.
On 22 September 2015 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.
Lt Gen Asim Salim Bajwa, was appointed Inspector General Arms (IG Arms) at GHQ on 11 December 2016 until 28 September 2017. Then he was appointed commander, Southern Command of Pakistan Army.

In November 2019, the Establishment Division notified Bajwa as Chairman of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority for a four-year period.
Awards

Gwadar Port opens for transit trade

ISLAMABAD: Gwadar Port has been opened for transit trade and the first ship in this regard is set to arrive next week, a sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs was informed on Tuesday.

Officials of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs briefed the sub-committee regarding transit trade and transshipment. The body was informed that the Afghan Trade Transit (ATT) Module required some changes that have been applied and after initial testing it is ready for application.

The senate body was informed that the first ATT shipment would arrive on Oct 8, next week at Gwadar port, which will gradually increase.

Convener of the sub-committee Senator Kauda Babar, who hails from Gwadar, pointed out towards the lacunas in planning and development of the area.

The officials acknowledged that Gwadar Port’s main competitors would be Singapore and Dubai ports, since incentives such as no cargo demurrage charges and three months storage facility would surely divert business to Gwadar.

The sub-committee also discussed the storage facilities for fish processing within or outside the port, the committee was assured that additional taxes would not be imposed on the Chinese companies to establishing such facilities and investments in this regard.

The sub-committee discussed legal framework, rules and regulations pertaining to fish dumping and reprocessing facilities at Gwadar Port to local and foreign investors including the Chinese companies. Senator Babar said,“the major firms will be asked to adopt a resolution to employ local population for jobs at such facilities.”

It was also decided that there has to be a national level policy regarding fishing trawlers and a uniform mechanism has to be formulated for all provinces, as marine fishing is conducted in off the coast of Sindh as well as Balochistan. The sub-committee informed that the revised PC-1 of Eastbay Expressway Project at Gwadar was being submitted to Ecnec for approval.

Probing the matter of internet connectivity and quotation of Rs14 million issued by PTCL for works relating to Optic Fibre connection and installation, the committee was informed that PTCL has now agreed for the said setup.

The matter is being handled by PTCL and China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. (COPHC) and the members noted that distance from the gate to the pole was around three kilometres as opposed to 6.4 km that have been quoted.

“Charges are therefore exaggerated,” Senator Babar added.

The meeting was attended by Senators Moula Bux Chandio and Muhammad Akram as well as senior officers from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Gwadar Port Authority Federal Board of Revenue, PTCL and others.

Long-delayed Gwadar’s master plan is finally ready

Pakistan’s port city, Gwadar, is a vital part of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to increase regional trade and development. Yet, for the last two years, its master plan could not be finalised.

The blueprint was worked on and re-worked several times, while bureaucrats came and went. No final decision, it seems, could be reached, until now. In a major development this week, Pakistan’s cabinet has decided to approve the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan before Eid holidays.

This is no small feat. The master plan, prepared by a team from China, provides a long-term layout for growth and development. According to officials privy the developments, the impetus was an upcoming visit by the parliamentary committee on CPEC and the prime minister’s recent visit to the United States. There, while addressing the Pakistani American community, the premier advised them to invest in Pakistan. For which he added, a one-window operation was being set up at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat to facilitate expatriates.

“It is now just a matter of days for the master plan to be approved,” says Nadir Baloch, the coordinator of the Gwadar Master Plan. Baloch, who has been working on the project since a few years now, admits that previously there were many hiccups which slowed down the pace of work. These included a lack of understanding between Pakistani and Chinese officials and the different bureaucratic styles in the two countries.

“In order to finalise the plan, we organized a workshop this year to get inputs from the business community, politicians, academics and the civil society,” Baloch adds, “We wanted to make the plan more people-centric and compatible to the high-tech future demands.”

The final draft has now been sent to the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), a subsidiary of the First Harbour Engineering Company (FHEC). Once reviewed by the company, it will be returned on August 8 and then presented before the governing body of the Gwadar Development Authority. “The final plan will be presented to the cabinet before Eid holidays,” says Baloch.

The Chinese and Pakistani sides took some time to understand each other’s local system, rules and regulations and working mechanisms. Then, there was the issue of land. Over 70 per cent of the land earmarked in the Gwadar Master Plan was owned by private individuals or companies.

Once approved, the master plan will lay out a way forward for the industrial development in the city and attract foreign investments. The plan also suggests ways to protect the environment.

Even when the plan is finalised, the port city’s development is a long-term process. “According to our master plan, it will take almost 20 to 25 years to develop just the port,” Naseer Khan Kashani, the chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) told Geo.tv in April.

Yasir Habib Khan, a renowned journalist who reports regularly for China Economic Net, Global Times, and China Today.

CPEC very important for Pakistan, says PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan accorded great importance to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

In a meeting with 12th NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chair Zhao Baige at the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister said all-out efforts were being made to further streamline and improve coordination at all levels as CPEC project has entered into its second phase.

The current phase will focus on critical areas, such as agriculture and socio-economic development.

The prime minister while welcoming the delegation said that it was a matter of great satisfaction to note that all-weather and time-tested Pak-China friendship was transforming into a robust economic partnership.

He said Pakistan wanted to learn from the Chinese experience and expertise in different sectors.

A special cell was being established at the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure seamless coordination between businesses of public and private sectors, he added.

Zhao, in her remarks, said that China would continue extending all possible cooperation to Pakistan in areas such as agriculture, health, housing and socio-economic development.

Minister for Planning Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Naeemul Haq, Senator Faisal Javed and Javed Afridi were also present during the meeting.

PM Imran boosted CPEC on 2nd BRI Summit

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged world leaders to undertake joint efforts to address impediments in the way of sustainable global growth.

In his address at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Friday, the prime minister presented five ways to further expand China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“Firstly, we must undertake joint efforts to mitigate climate change. In our Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, we successfully planted a billion trees. I suggest we launch a joint project to plant 100 billion trees over the next two years, so that we can mitigate the effects of climate change for our coming generations,” said PM Imran.

“Second, we should establish a BRI Tourism Corridor to promote people-to-people contacts and inter-cultural understanding. Thirdly, an office of Anti-Corruption Cooperation should be set up to combat the scourge of white-collar crime. White-collar crimes are devastating the world.”

“We should create a poverty alleviation fund that supplements national efforts in the fight against poverty and malnourishment. In Pakistan, we have recently launched a targeted poverty alleviation programme called ‘Ehsas’. The aim should be to emulate China’s spectacular success in lifting 800 million people out of poverty within a matter of decades,” said the PM.

“Lastly, we must make concerted efforts to further liberalise trade and investment flows encouraging our private sector and businesses to collaborate in projects.”

The prime minister said BRI offers an unprecedented model of international collaboration. “In a world of geopolitical uncertainty, of rising inequality and barriers to trade, the BRI offers a model of collaboration, partnership, connectivity and shared prosperity. The presence of so many leaders today is the proof that we choose hope over despair and cooperation over confrontation.”

He said Pakistan was among the BRI’s “earliest and most enthusiastic proponents”, and spoke of the “substantial progress” achieved on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Pakistan’s energy supplies have increased massively. Our critical infrastructure gaps are being plugged. Gwadar, once a small fishing village, is transforming rapidly into a commercial hub. Gwadar Airport will be the largest in the country.”

“Together, Pakistan and China are entering the next phase of CPEC, with greater emphasis on socio-economic uplift, poverty alleviation, agricultural cooperation and industrial development. We are expanding the frontiers of knowledge through closer engagement and deeper cooperation in the fields of education, innovation and technology.”

“Along the length of the corridor, Special Economic Zones are set to come up, offering opportunities for investments for Pakistani, Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs. Supplementing the next phase of CPEC, we are signing an expanded Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement.”

Quoting a Chinese proverb – “The ocean is vast because it rejects no rivers” – PM Imran said Pakistan will continue “to work on the basis of mutual respect and equal opportunity, with China and other BRI partners, for a better future of our people”.

Extending an invitation to international investors, he reiterated Pakistan’s desire to partner with “all those who share the vision for a peaceful and prosperous world”.

“I take this opportunity to invite all of you to avail our liberal foreign investment regime and participate in our economy, in particular infrastructure, railways, dams, IT and manufacturing.”

CPEC & Belt and Road Businessman Event

CPECB has called another milestone event on 27th April 2019 for Businessman to connect and exchange business opportunities. CPECB events are always fruitful and create great opportunities for Pakistani Businessman to interact with companies CEO, Directors, Partners, owners and state officials under one roof. CPECB always follow protocol where an only active and verified businessman can join who is a member of cpecb.com .

A businessman from various sectors will join and officials of CPEC and BRI . A businessman who is interested and not a member of CPECB can apply for CPECB membership online at https://www.cpecb.com/register