PM Imran Khan delighted over $ 3.5 billion KCCDZ inclusion in CPEC

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 27 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday afternoon that the inclusion of $ 3.5 billion Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone (KCCDZ) under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a ‘game changer’ for Pakistan. 

“[The] Inclusion of Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone in CPEC is [a] game changer. [We] Will clean-up our marine habitat for fishermen, develop 20k low income housing units and present opportunities for investors. [We] Will put Khi (Karachi) at par with developed port cities,” Imran Khan said in his tweet.

PM lauded efforts of ministry of Maritime Affairs to get KCCDZ into the CPEC fold. PM Khan expressed the hope that it would help clean up marine habitat for fishermen, develop low income housing units and create investment opportunities.

Later on Sunday night, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on CPEC Affairs Dr Khalid Mansoor said the inclusion of KCCDZ in CPEC in the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee for CPEC would expand the horizon of development for the country.

“This inclusion will create massive job opportunities for local manpower. Prime Minister Imran Khan has rightly called it a game changer achievement,” he remarked in a statement.

Mansoor pointed out that it was an opportunity for international investors to invest in Pakistan. “The multi-billion dollars CPEC project has entered into its second phase. The establishment of Special Economic Zones and the involvement of private sectors would make Pakistan a manufacturing hub,” he commented.

The SAPM indicated that the government was focused on enhancing the import based industry in Pakistan. “The incumbent government believes in the policy of inclusion, and every province has its share in the game changer project CPEC,” he mentioned.

Iron Brother China is expected to spend $ 3.5 billion on KCCDZ project under the CPEC framework.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi earlier tweeted that Pakistan and China had agreed to include KCCDZ in CPEC, adding that it would prove to be a “game changer” for Pakistan.

The minister informed that the planned multi-billion dollars mega KCCDZ project would be built with direct Chinese investment in partnership with Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The quantum of expected investment, he informed, was approximately $ 3.5 billion. “KCCDZ would be a flagship project for not only Pakistan but also the entire region,” he maintained.

The monumental decision was taken during the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) on CPEC, which was held virtually on September 23 both in Islamabad and Beijing.

The two allies agreed to include KCCDZ under the CPEC framework. KCCDZ, an initiative of Ministry of Maritime Affairs is aimed at providing Karachi with an ultra-modern urban infrastructure zone - placing Karachi amongst the top port cities of the world.