No breakthrough made on Karachi circular train, ML-1

ISLAMABAD: Without achieving breakthrough on ML-1 and Karachi Circular Railways (KCR), Pakistan and China have signed Long Term Plan (LTP) framework for 2014-2030 for expanding cooperation on industrial zones, transfer of technology for agriculture and establishing people to people contacts on long and durable basis.
However, Chinese side conveyed to Pakistan in internal meetings that Islamabad would have to ensure political stability and improved security environment for moving towards achieving the desired results.
“After overcoming energy crisis by ensuring $27 billion energy and infrastructure projects under implementation into CPEC, Pakistan and China have signed LTP during the 7th JCC meeting in order to convert strategic relations into long and durable economic relations,” Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal said on the conclusion of 7th JCC meeting held between Pakistan and Chinese officials here on Tuesday night.
To a question about seeking permission of Chinese currency, the minister dispelled the impression and contended only as saying that they were considering at level of State Bank of Pakistan for allowing transaction for Chinese equipments into Chinese currency RMB.
The minister said that just like 6th JCC meeting held in China, all Chief Ministers participated into 7th JCC meeting in order to show solidarity that whole was on same page.
The signing of official minutes took almost extra four hours between the two sides as the media was invited for press briefing at 5.50 pm but they had to wait for four hours.
Regarding a question on finalization of framework agreement on KCR, the minister said that the feasibility study would be done by Chinese Railway Institute. On ML-1, he said that the feasibility study jointly done by both sides shared with them now they would get approval of their procedures to make this project operation by finalizing financing plan.
Earlier, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak told media person after attending the JCC meeting that the provincial government made it clear that they would allow construction of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) only at Rashakai and they did not know how SEZ of Hattar was put forward into JCC forum. He said that the CPEC was in shape of loans so they would finalize decision in accordance with priorities.
He complained that the Center kept them in dark about CPEC for initial three years but now they were satisfied.