Competitive tariff regime imperative: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal Tuesday stressed the need to actively work on a competitive tariff regime, especially in the light of recent tariff implementations by United States.

He urged relevant departments to enhance marketing efforts aimed at attracting industries relocating from China.

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired a progress review meeting on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by senior representatives from ministries of foreign affairs, interior, communications, economic affairs, petroleum, commerce, food and agriculture, science and technology and maritime affairs, as well as officials from Board of Investment, Planning Commission and other relevant federal and provincial institutions.

The meeting reviewed progress of various ongoing projects under CPEC, as directed in the previous meeting. It was informed a delegation comprising financial and technical experts, led by Chairman of National Highway Authority (NHA), is visiting China this month to finalise terms of implementation of Karakoram Highway (KKH) project. Minister Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed government’s commitment to fast-tracking the KKH project, terming it a time sensitive strategic project due to construction of Diamer-Basha Dam.