ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development and Reform Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that the first phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed by the year 2018. The production of 10,000MW of energy under CPEC would help overcome the energy crisis by 2018 as well as upgrade the existing road network of the country, especially western route, through construction of missing links on it would provide the safest and shortest passage of cargo from Gwadar Seaport to upcountry for their onward movement to China’s western provinces, he said in a statement on the CPEC. Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan and China were working closely and wholeheartedly to implement the CPEC projects in the speediest manner. Both sides, he said, were in constant touch through forums under the CPEC framework and were moving ahead smoothly and promptly to complete the projects. The minister said both sides realised the importance of CPEC for their own interests and for the benefit of whole the region to integrate it economically for social and economic uplift three billion people of the region. Iqbal said there was unanimity in file and ranks of Pakistani society that the CPEC was a historical opportunity for sustained economic development and inclusive prosperity of the country and “we must capitalise on it through a united approach.” He said Pakistan’s political leadership, civilian government and military leadership, time and again, demonstrated their commitment to the completion of CPEC. “They are all on the same page for a bigger national cause.”