China-Pakistan Starting Work On ML-1 Railway Project . This was decided in an important meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) that was held virtually on Oct 27.

ISLAMABAD ( Javed Mahmood )

Pakistan and China have developed an understanding to initiate work on Pakistan Railways mega project ML-1 involving $10 billion cost. The ML-1 project is part of the CPEC programme.

This was decided in an important meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) that was held virtually on Oct 27.

Ahsan Iqbal, Planning Minister co-chaired the meeting along with Lin Nianxiu, Vice Chairman National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC), China.

In the 11th JCC meeting, the officials of both the countries agreed to enhance their cooperation in information technology. It was decided that Chinese companies will establish research centers in Pakistan to explore new opportunities in this field.

Furthermore, Pakistani officials gave an assurance to Chinese of taking initiatives for the security of Chinese workers deputed at different CPEC projects in Pakistan.

According to sources, the minutes of the virtual meeting will be signed during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China. Premier is going to China on Nov 1, along with a high-level delegation to seek rescheduling of Chinese loans and investments in multiple projects.

Speaking at the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal said that another 3,100 MW, which has achieved 90% milestone for FC (700 MW Azad Pattan HPP, 1,124 MW Kohala Hydel Project and 1,320 MW Thar Coal Block-I), will be finalised at the earliest so as to get closer to the envisaged target of 1,7000 MWs.