Pakistan Seeks Over $2 Billion Chinese Funding for Major Road and Railway Projects

Pakistan has prepared the agenda for the upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, seeking more than $2 billion in fresh financing from China, sources confirmed to ProPakistani. The agenda includes major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), namely the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase II realignment, the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, and the East Bay Expressway. According to the proposals, Pakistan has requested $1.5 billion in Chinese financing for the KKH Phase II and East Bay Expressway. Additionally, $500 million has been sought for the ML-1 section from Rohri to Multan. The realignment of KKH Phase II is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 500 billion, while the 14-kilometer East Bay Expressway is expected to cost more than Rs. 30 billion. As per the financing plan, 85% of the cost for KKH Phase II and the East Bay Expressway will be covered through Chinese funding, with the remaining to be borne by Pakistan.