The government is giving “careful and specific attention” to the development of infrastructure in the border areas adjoining China, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, General (Retd.) V.K. Singh, told Parliament on Wednesday. The Minister said construction of 27 key road projects, measuring 804 km, was on the fast track and the procedure for green clearances had been simplified. The Home Ministry wanted 54 new border outposts to keep a check on frequent Chinese infiltration, the Minister said.
The statement comes two days after China >announced $46 billion of investments in Pakistan as part of its new Silk Road initiative and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These include highways to the Gwadar port and a hydel power project in PoK, which, sources said, the government is closely monitoring as it was in disputed territory.
