WASHINGTON, (APP): Pakistan has been recognized as the ‘Best Country for Infrastructure Development in South Asia’ by the “Emerging Markets”, a publication of the IMF/World Bank Annual Meeting 2016, in recognition of its massive progress in the field.
The country Award was received by Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani on behalf of Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, at a ceremony here during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, said a press release issued on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jilani thanked the Emerging Markets for recognizing and supporting Pakistan’s development trajectory that was inextricably linked to peace in the region. He highlighted that Pakistan was committed to regional connectivity and share the fruits of prosperity with all neighbors.
He expressed confidence that the Government’s people-centric development policies and regional economic cooperation would usher in a new era of prosperity.
Hon. Professor Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform spearheads the infrastructure development in the country.
The ongoing major projects include building of new thermal power plants, the construction of a 700 km LNG pipeline and the upgrading the Karachi-Lahore railway track to name a few.
The centerpiece of the massive infrastructure development work is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which involves construction of rail and road network, gas pipelines, industrial zones and development of the Gwadar port. CPEC would connect China’s western region to Pakistan and is aimed at revolutionizing the economic progress and enhance regional connectivity.
