ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have decided to expedite work on the western route in the second phase of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The understanding came during a meeting between the Chinese delegation headed by its Transport Minister and Minister for Communications Murad Saeed in Islamabad on Saturday.

It was decided to construct 1,270 kilometer of roads on the western route in the second phase. The road infrastructure will be constructed from Gilgit to Chitral and DI Khan to Zhob.

Also Read: Pakistan, China sign different MoUs to enhance bilateral ties

The Chinese transport minister said the CPEC would benefit the future generations of both Pakistan and China. He said leadership of both the countries had expressed commitment for timely completion of the CPEC related projects.

In his remarks, Murad Saeed said it was priority of government to remove all sorts of obstacles in way of completion of the corridor project. He said the CPEC would create job opportunities and give a boost to the infrastructure and economy.

Murad Saeed said China was a role model regarding economic development and poverty alleviation.

On Oct 9, Pakistan and China had signed different Memorandum of Understandings to enhance bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said an MoU signed between the two countries was related to the development of Gwadar Port and to make it a hub of regional trade and connectivity.     

He had said under another MoU, to redress water shortage in Gwadar, a desalination plant of 5000 tons of water per day would be set up by China to provide clean water to Gwadar port and the new Gwadar city.    

The two countries would enhance cooperation in education sector and in this regard an MoU had been signed with Higher Education Commission for smart classrooms.